Israel's inclusion in Eurovision explained as country faces calls to be banned
Yuval Raphael, 25, is set to fly the flag for Israel at this year's Eurovision Song Contest with her track 'New Day Will Rise'.
Hailing from Ra'anana, just outside Tel Aviv, Yuval kicked off her career in 2024 on the TV talent show HaKokhav HaBa.
The songstress has opened up about 'practising being booed' in preparation for Eurovision, amidst calls for Israel's ban from the contest due to the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Despite not being a European nation, Israel's inclusion in Eurovision comes courtesy of its Israel Broadcasting Authority's membership in the European Broadcasting Union.
This affiliation has allowed Israel to join the competition since 1973, bagging four wins along the way: in 1978 and 1979 with tunes 'A-Ba-Ni-Bi' by Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta, and 'Hallelujah' by Milk and Honey, then in 1998 with Dana International's 'Diva', and most recently in 2018 with Netta's 'Toy', reports the Express.
Yuval has expressed that representing her country at Eurovision feels "like a personal win, just to be having this experience and representing my country and doing it with such pride".
Her journey to Eurovision is nothing short of miraculous, considering she nearly lost her life during a Hamas attack at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023.
Yuval found shelter in a concrete bombproof hideout alongside around 50 others as Hamas militants fired into their refuge. She emerged as one of the 11 survivors.
The rules of Eurovision mean no political statements can be made so she will not discuss this experience when promoting her entry.
But, Yuval will perform her song New Day Will Rise will shrapnel in her leg from the day of the attack.
Speaking about how she is dealing with backlash over Israel's inclusion, she told the BBC: "Everybody has opinions. Im really putting everything aside and just concentrating on the most important thing. The slogan this year is 'united by music' and that's what we are here for."
She added the opening parade for the content was "scary at times, even uncomfortable, but it makes me keep reminding myself why I'm here and my agenda".
Yuval concluded: "[I'm] spreading as much love as I can and bringing pride to my country."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Iconic hotel loved by major celebs to finally reopen after 15 years with new £170million revamp
AN iconic hotel on the European seaside is set to reopen after 15 years. Grand Hôtel des Bains in Venice first opened in 1900, with 180 rooms for the "seaside elite". Advertisement 4 Grand Hôtel des Bains opened more than 100 years ago Credit: 4 However it closed back in 2010 Credit: 4 The beachfront is also being revamped Credit: Alamy Built on the Lido of Venice, it was forced to close back in 2010, with previous plans to turn it into luxury apartments. However, a new €200million (£170million) investment hopes to reopen the hotel. The project is being backed by Italian developer and COIMA and Abu Dhabi's Eagle Hills, behind a number of resorts in the Middle East and Africa. Not only will the hotel be restored, but the nearby parks and beachfront will be renovated as well. Advertisement Read more on hotels Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman and founder of Eagle Hills, said: "This is more than a restoration – it is a revival of European legacy through modern excellence. "Venice has always been a bridge between worlds, and we are proud to be part of its future , bringing our experience in luxury hospitality to one of the most symbolic hotels on the continent." One of the first famous guests to visit was Thomas Mann, who was inspired to write Death in Venice while there. The hotel was then even used to shoot the film in 1971. Advertisement Most read in News Travel It also hosted the International Film Festival in 1932, with guests such as Liz Taylor and Roma producer David Linde said it was the "place to be seen, to do your thing" in the film industry. New European Sleeper Train Route Goes Through 15 Destinations He also said it was a "significantly more intimate and concentrated version of Cannes". Along with nearly 200 rooms, there was also a solarium and a private underground tunnel that went straight to the beach. Advertisement Another hotel undergoing a The £16million revamp of the hotel is set to be complete this year, after celebrating its 160th anniversary last year. There is also the Otherwise the Sun's Deputy Travel Editor has stayed in hundreds of hotels - here are her favourites. Advertisement 4 It will also restore the hotel beachfront Credit: Alamy
Irish Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man United fans call on club to sign Westlife star Nicky Byrne after Soccer Aid
Manchester United fans have teased club decision-makers that they should sign Westlife star Nicky Byrne to be their new goalkeeper after his Soccer Aid appearance on Sunday evening. Certain sections of the Red Devils are not happy with their current goalkeeper situation, with Andre Onana enduring a tough 2024/25 season with the club. Signed for £43.8m in 2023, Onana was dropped by boss Ruben Amorim at one point late in the season. And fans joked that the Old Trafford outfit should sign Nicky Byrne as some competition. Before his stardom with Westlife, Byrne had his own promising football career and was signed by Leeds United in the late 1990s before playing with Shelbourne and Cobh Ramblers. Byrne would go on to become a household figure with Westlife, as well as representing Ireland at Eurovision. But if Manchester United fans had their way, he would earn a contract at Old Trafford. "Can United sign Nicky Byrne for next season," joked one social media user. "We should get Nicky Byrne in goal," joked another. "Get Nicky Byrne in nets at Old Trafford," said another. Byrne went viral for his ridiculous double save during the game and was on the right side of the result as the Rest of the World XI ran out 5-4 winners on the day. Byrne has been a regular feature in the charity football match in recent years, while TV host and comedian Paddy McGuinness was in goal for England.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Remember Monday star shares big update on ‘stolen' engagement ring after Eurovision
REMEMBER Monday star Holly-Anne Hull has shared a big update on her engagement ring which was "stolen" after Eurovision. The Advertisement 5 Remember Monday's Holly-Anne Hull has spoken out about her missing engagement ring Credit: The Sun 5 The piece of precious jewellery went after the Eurovision Song Contest Credit: Getty 5 The Sun chatted to Remember Monday at the Capital Summertime Ball Credit: The Sun Holly - who is one third of the British Eurovision act Remember Monday along with Asked about her ring by The Sun backstage at the Capital Summertime Ball, the singer said: "It's, erm, it has gone. "We have lost the ring, it's ok." We asked Holy if she would be replacing the missing jewellery, and she told us: "Oh I got a tattoo of his initial because how nice that is." Advertisement MORE ON REMEMBER MONDAY It comes after The Sun revealed Holly had It came about after she removed both her wedding and engagement rings for the performance of their song What The Hell Just Happened? at Eurovision on May 17. Shortly after, the singer spoke about her nightmare during an interview on Capital FM's Breakfast Show. Host Chris Stark asked: "Holly, very quickly, did I read you lost your wedding ring?" Advertisement Most read in TV Exclusive The girls remained silent for several seconds before Holly replied: "Yep. It's my engagement ring. "I found my wedding ring but my engagement ring is gone. Remember Monday star Lauren Byrne is last Eurovision contestant standing as she parties until 6am after defeat "I honestly don't know where it is. I am so upset about it. "It's something silly, like it's in the hotel room. It's not like I went on a wild night out and lost it. It's like I've misplaced it because I'm so silly and my brain was scattered all over the place." Advertisement Chris' co-host Holly told her "I'm in my house. I've had to say goodbye to her." Holly-Anne wed her partner Craig in 2023. Together with bandmates Lauren and Charlotte Steele Advertisement The group were tenth after the jury vote but sadly, as But despite their defeat, Remember Monday stood proud, and Charlotte said: "I can't explain how amazing the whole thing has been. It has been more than we could have ever wished for. "We are so proud of what we did and just the whole build up was just so fantastic. "We had about an hour's sleep before our flight home yesterday. We had so much fun!" Advertisement 5 Remember Monday represented the UK at Eurovision last month Credit: Splash 5 The trio finished in 19th place Credit: Getty
