Yuval Raphael

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

Israel leads Eurovisionworld.com’s early odds with 10%, followed by Sweden 9%, Ukraine 7%, Finland 6%, and Italy 5%.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
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.
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

The 70th edition of the contest in May will have just 35 entries, the fewest since 2003, after five national broadcasters said they would boycott the show in protest against Israel's participation.

|ByREUTERS
Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, attends the second semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 15, 2025

Eurovision Song Contest changes voting rules after controversial allegations against Israel

The new rules by the European Broadcasting Union discourage governments and third parties from "disproportionately promoting" songs to sway voters.

|ByREUTERS
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar hold a press conference at the ministry's offices in Jerusalem, May 22, 2025.

Sa'ar warns German delegation: 'A Palestinian state would be a Hamas terror state'

The delegation, organized by the European Division of the Foreign Ministry and the Israeli Embassy in Berlin, aims to deepen future German leaders' understanding of the "Israeli story."

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Israel’s Yuval Raphael qualifies for Eurovision final

Raphael sang “New Day Will Rise,” a song by Keren Peles that references the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel.

MAY 16, 2025ByHANNAH BROWN
Yuval Raphael at her second rehearsal this week.

Eurovision: Switzerland once again bows to the conqueror - opinion

Switzerland, the neutral country, approves anti-Semitic riots in the name of "freedom of expression," but prohibits pro-Israeli demonstrations.

MAY 15, 2025ByANAT VIDOR
Yuval Raphael at Eurovision rehearsals in Basel, Switzerland, May 7, 2025.

New doc ‘Hurricane in Malmo’ looks at Eden Golan's Eurovision experience

Documentary about Eden Golan competing in the contest in Sweden last year.

MAY 14, 2025ByHANNAH BROWN
Eden Golan in ‘Hurricane in Malmo.’

Yuval Raphael keeps her cool at Eurovision's turquoise carpet

Raphael, who looked lovely in a flirty light-colored minidress, carried an Israeli flag past demonstrators screaming pro-Palestine slogans.

MAY 13, 2025ByHANNAH BROWN
YUVAL RAPHAEL walks the turquoise carpet on Sunday in Basel, while pro-Palestinian protests take place