Yuval Raphael

EBU approves Israel's 2026 Eurovision song after undergoing minor adjustments

Each song undergoes a review process, and EBU officials requested a few minor adjustments for Israel's entry, which the Israeli songwriters agreed to.

Noam Bettan will represent Israel at Eurovision 2026.
 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, performs "New Day Will Rise", during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025.

Former Eurovision contestant Yuval Raphael co-writes song selected for this year's submission

 Pro-Palestinian protestors hold a flag and a banner outside the RTE (Radio Telefis Eireann) Irish public service broadcaster television studios as demonstrators call for an Irish boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if there is Israeli participation, in Dublin, Ireland, November 1, 2025.

Boycotts and rule changes don’t stop Israel topping Eurovision odds

Pro-Palestinian protestors hold a flag and a banner outside the RTE (Radio Telefis Eireann) Irish public service broadcaster television studios as demonstrators call for an Irish boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if there is Israeli participation, in Dublin, Ireland, November 1, 2025.

Eurovision host says it won't ban Palestinian flags, drown out boos during Israel's performance


Austria’s Eurovision winner says he hopes Israel will be excluded next year

We’ve seen sore losers with this year’s Eurovision, and now there’s a sore winner; Austria's JJ.

 JJ, Austria's victorious representative at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest.

Eurovision head defends vote system that gave Israel first place in televotes

“The televoting system currently used in Eurovision is considered the most advanced in the world today," Eurovision director said.

 Yuval Raphael in the Eurovision final.

Spanish PM claims Israel's Eurovision participation shows EBU's double standard

Sanchez's calls to disqualify Israel from Eurovision were out of the need to "show solidarity with the Palestinian people."

 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during the 34th Arab League summit, in Baghdad, Iraq, May 17, 2025.

Yuval Raphael to perform in Nova community memorial concert in Tel Aviv

Following her triumphant performance at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel over the weekend, Yuval Raphael will share her talents with a home audience.

 Yuval Raphael at the Eurovision final, May 17, 2025.

Yuval Raphael is a symbol of Israel's astonishing resilience - editorial

Maybe people were simply voting for the song and the performance, not expressing any deeper political sentiment. Either way, we have reason to feel proud.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, performs "New Day Will Rise," during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025

We’re big in Europe: Why Israel won the Eurovision audience vote - analysis

This is the third year in a row that popular votes for Israel vastly outstripped the number of votes it received from the national juries.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, performs "New Day Will Rise," during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025

Yuval Raphael: 'There will be no real victory without the hostages'

The 24-year-old Nova festival survivor said that she felt the spirit of Israel came across plainly in the song.

 Yuval Raphael qualified for the Eurovision final in the second semi final on Thursday night.

Sirens sound across Israel as Israel takes second place in Eurovision

Saturday night's sirens came after the IDF struck two Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen that were used to transfer weapons.

 Ultra Orthodox Jews celebrating the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer run to a public shelter as a siren alerts of incoming missile attack, in Bnei Brak on May 15, 2025.

WATCH: Yuval Raphael takes stage at the Eurovision finale

Israel's Eurovision contestant Yuval Raphael took second place at the Eurovision finale on Saturday night.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, performs "New Day Will Rise", during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025.

Gal Gadot encourages Yuval Raphael before the Eurovision final

Speaking in Hebrew, Gadot told Raphael: “Celebrate your creation, it’s a creation of love and of so much light.”

 Yuval Raphael is representing Israel this year at Basel in the Eurovision song contest