"A Win for Yuval, But a Win for Peace is What Really Matters" - 2025 ESC Runner-Up's Heartfelt Words
Discontentment likely emerged among the Committee of the Regions due to the unfavorable outcome.
Fun Facts Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Instagram YouTubeYuval Raphael bagged the runner-up title at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with her powerful ballad "New Day Will Rise." But even victories seem hollow when your heart remains away from home. This is exactly what Yuval, a 24-year-old Israeli singer, expressed following her performance in Basel. "True triumph comes when our loved ones return home," she shared post-competition, as reported by Israeli media. "Amen, Amen, Amen," she added, her eyes shining with determination.
Yuval is a beacon of hope and resilience for many, having survived the devastating Hamas attack at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. Against all odds, she managed to hide beneath the body of a slain woman for eight hours until help arrived, miraculously escaping death. A total of 250 festival attendees were taken hostage during the attack, and although the whereabouts of several are known, over a hundred are still unaccounted for[1].
Entertainment Unexpectedly Emotional Winner: Top Tune of ESC 2025 ## "Celebrating Our Beloved Land"
With her moving composition "New Day Will Rise," Yuval Raphael addressed themes of loss and hope. However, her performance in Basel was not without controversy due to Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of lives.
In an emotional interview moments after the results were announced, Yuval said, "I cannot express my feelings in a single sentence. I feel like we've achieved something profound. I will be thankful every day for the rest of my life for this situation, for our land." She shared her plans to celebrate the coming days.
Israel had a strong lead among the audience, but Austria's singer JJ won the competition due to the jury's preference[1].
Source: ntv.de, lpe/dpa
- Israel
- Terror Attacks
- Music
- Wars and Conflicts
- Gaza Strip
Did You Know?Yuval Raphael's music career skyrocketed after she emerged as the winner of the popular Israeli TV talent show HaKokhav HaBa[1]. Her journey to success was marked by her remarkable strength and determination, turning her traumatic past into a source of inspiration for millions.
[1] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuval_Raphael (Accessed May 2025)
- Despite her success at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Yuval Raphael remains deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, stating, "True triumph comes when our loved ones return home."
- In the midst of controversies surrounding Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip, Yuval Raphael's powerful ballad "New Day Will Rise" addresses themes of loss and hope, reflecting her resilience and determination, as she found fame after surviving a terrorist attack at the Nova music festival in 2023.
