From the Liveblog of
Friday, May 16, 2025
Yuval Raphael advances to Eurovision final after performing ‘New Day Will Rise’
Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
Israel’s Yuval Raphael advances to the grand final of the 2025 Eurovision following her performance in Thursday night’s semifinal.
While those in the arena said a smattering of boos could be heard during her performance, only cheers could be heard on the live TV broadcast. There were also only a small number of Palestinian flags visible in the audience, despite fears of a strong presence.
Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 Nova festival massacre, will sing “New Day Will Rise” again during Saturday night’s grand final against 25 other acts.
יום חדש יזרח ???????? ???? הביצוע המלא של יובל רפאל בחצי גמר האירוויזיון 2025 pic.twitter.com/HwtBbA9vrZ
— כאן (@kann) May 15, 2025
The full results of the semifinals — which are based solely on a public vote — are only released by producers after the grand final.
Unlike the semifinals, the results of the grand final will be based on a 50/50 mix of the televote and the jury vote — in which professional juries from all 37 participating countries pick their favorites.
Small dueling pro-Israel and anti-Israel protests were held in Basel earlier this evening. A larger anti-Israel protest is slated for Saturday night.
The Times of Israel Community.