Internet rallies behind Israeli hostage Yuval Raphael ahead of Eurovision performance

Time of India

09-05-2025

Image credits: X/@julienbahloul
The
Israel-Hamas war
has been going on for more than a year. While on the broader horizon, the war is a political and regional conflict, in reality, it has become a massacre that has changed and destroyed the lives of people forever.
There is not one person in either country who has not been a victim of the war, physically or emotionally. While some were trapped in torcher tunnels and held hostage, others have lost friends and family to life.
Yuval Raphael
to represent Israel at Eurovision 2025
Image credits: X/@SverigeIsrael
Yuval Raphael is a 24-year-old
Israeli singer
who is all set to represent the country at the semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest being held in Basel, Switzerland on May 15. She was selected to represent the country at the contest after she won the Israeli television competition, The Rising Star.
Operation Sindoor
'Did not want to...': Pak def min gives absurd excuse for army's failure to withstand Op Sindoor
Blackouts, sirens & Pak's failed attacks: 10 things that happened in the last 36 hrs
'1971 war was not remotely as terrifying': Residents of border areas shell-shocked
She will be presenting her song 'New Day Will Rise' written by Israeli songwriter Keren Peles at the competition, which she shared is about resilience and unity. "The song is strong and powerful, but also soft and loving.
When I sing it I feel secure and open-hearted. All its lines are stirring but 'Everyone cries, don't cry alone,' is beyond powerful," she said to The Jewish Chronicle.
But Raphael is not just another singer who has risen to popularity through her unique skills; the young woman is a force of resilience whose story of survival has inspired many in life.
Yuval Raphael's story of survival
Image credits: X/@streetwize
Yuval Raphael is a survivor of the Israel-Hamas war. The young woman was one of the 11 survivors of the attack that was launched on the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. Hamas terrorists launched a shocking ambush on attendees at the open-air music festival, causing 50 people to hide in a nearby kibbutz, one of whom was Raphael. The group faced grenades being thrown inside, with the singer being one of the 11 survivors who had to hide under dead bodies for eight long hours.
She was hurt in her leg when she crawled into the shelter and called her father. During the eight hours inside, she saw the terrorists return 19 times to throw bullets and grenades. Before the call was cut out, it was her father's advice to 'play dead' that saved her life.
Why is the internet rallying behind Yuval Raphael?
Image credits: X/@bjellas
Currently, many have been calling out to cut Israel from the global singing competition due to the ongoing war. In 2023, people had called for the boycott of the competition itself over Israel's participation with countries such as Ireland, Finland, Sweden and the UK.
Recently, over 70 former Eurovision participants wrote an open letter and posted it on artistsforpalestine.org.uk on Tuesday, demanding that Kan, Israel's government broadcaster, not be allowed to send its contestant, Yuval Raphael, to take part.
Now, people on X have been posting in support of the singer's participation in the competition. "I stand with Yuval. Her voice is beautiful and she deserves to sing as much as anyone else," wrote a person on X.
"Yuval Raphael is going to win the @Eurovision in Basel, Switzerland, next week 💃🥇🇮🇱" added another.
People have been applauding the young singer for her courage and have been backing her to be able to participate in the contest for her own journey as a singer, rather than making her the target of a war that she, as a civilian, has no part in.
The Eurovision Song Contest was started after World War II to encourage peaceful competition and cultural exchange between nations. Israel has been participating in the competition since 1973 and has won four times.