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Yuval Raphael

Noam Bettan, Israel's 2026 Eurovision contestant, poses for a photo in Neve Ilan, near Jerusalem, January 21, 2026. (Yael Abas Guisky/Flash90)
February 6, 2026, 7:30 pm
Noam Bettan to sing Eurovision entry co-written by last year’s contestant Yuval Raphael
Set for release March 5, song features lyrics in Hebrew, English and French and is said to be ‘a slightly different style’ from the ballads submitted by Israel for past two years
By Amy Spiro
Austrian singer Johannes Pietsch, known as JJ, celebrates with the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest trophy after winning the grand final at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel on May 18, 2025. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
May 22, 2025, 10:43 pm
Austrian Eurovision winner says he hopes Israel will be barred from contest next year
Amid backlash, JJ apologizes ‘if my words were misunderstood,’ while Austrian public broadcaster clarifies singer’s comments ‘reflect only his personal opinion’
By Amy Spiro and Agencies
Israel's Yuval Raphael performs 'New Day Will Rise' during the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland, on May 17, 2025. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
May 21, 2025, 2:37 pm
Eurovision organizers dismiss claims of voter fraud after Israel tops televote
Spain, Belgium, Finland cast doubt on Yuval Raphael’s popularity; demand ‘transparency’ from EBU, which asserts there were no ‘suspicious or irregular voting patterns’
By Amy Spiro
Protesters burn US and Israeli flags during a demonstration against Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, on May 17, 2025. (Sebastien Bozon/AFP)
May 18, 2025, 6:24 pm
Thank you, JJ: For Israel at Eurovision, first would have been the worst
From hostages to Houthis, there are many wins Israel can use. But a campy song contest that would have given anti-Israel voices a fresh stage to air their hate is not one of them
By Joshua Davidovich
Israeli singer Yuval Raphael performs 'New Day Will Rise' during the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland, on May 17, 2025. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
May 18, 2025, 2:53 pm
Voters turned out in droves for Israel at Eurovision, but the juries… not so much
A major win in 2nd place: Yuval Raphael won the popular vote in 12 countries, finishing higher than Eden Golan last year; gap between juries, public is not uncommon at song contest
By Amy Spiro
A Palestinian boy looks at a house destroyed in Israeli strikes in al-Saftawi area west of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on May 18, 2025. (Bashar TALEB / AFP)
May 18, 2025, 2:18 pm
Daily Briefing May 18: Day 590 – New day rises? IDF launches massive Gaza op
Military reporter Emanuel Fabian on the slow rollout of Gideon’s Chariots as ceasefire negotiations are ongoing in Doha, IAF strikes on Yemen and last night’s Eurovision battle
By Amanda Borschel-Dan and Emanuel Fabian
Israeli singer Yuval Raphael parades during the flag ceremony at the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel on May 17, 2025. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
May 18, 2025, 4:58 am
Israel’s Yuval Raphael feels she’s ‘won at life’ after coming second at Eurovision
The 24-year-old singer and Nova festival survivor says ‘real victory’ will be when the hostages are home, hopes she gave Israelis a moment of peace amid the madness of war
By ToI Staff
Anti-Israel demonstrators stage a protest outside the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest's grand final in Basel on May 17, 2025. (Sebastien Bozon/AFP)
May 18, 2025, 3:27 am
Anti-Israel protesters clash with Basel police during Eurovision Song Contest
Confrontation said to have started when police intervened to stop altercation after two men rushed towards people waving Israeli flags
By AFP
Yuval Raphael from Israel performs the song 'New Day Will Rise' during the Grand Final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025. (AP/Martin Meissner)
May 18, 2025, 2:57 am
Israel’s Yuval Raphael tops Eurovision public vote, finishes in 2nd place as Austria wins
Security blocks protesters who attempt to rush stage during Israel’s performance; ‘Thank you Europe, Am Yisrael Chai,’ says singer after powerful rendition of ‘New Day Will Rise’
By Amy Spiro
Yuval Raphael from Israel performs 'New Day Will Rise' at the second semifinal of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 15, 2025. (AP/Martin Meissner)
May 16, 2025, 2:01 am
Israel’s Yuval Raphael advances to Eurovision grand final after soaring performance
Singer, a survivor of the Nova festival massacre, says she managed to spot in the crowd the friends she made in the roadside bomb shelter, and ‘it gave me so much strength’
By Amy Spiro
US President Donald Trump (left) speaks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before posing for a family picture with Gulf leaders during a gathering of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh on May 14, 2025. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP)
May 15, 2025, 3:17 pm
Daily Briefing May 15: Day 587 – Trump embraces his ‘strongest’ Mideast partner. It’s not Israel
Editor David Horovitz on the US president’s deal-making trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE; his meet-up with the new Syrian leader and the current status of Gaza ceasefire talks
By Amanda Borschel-Dan and David Horovitz
May 14, 2025, 11:20 pm
What Matters Now to Eurovision mega-fan Tal Dahan: Politics, protests and camp in Basel
With an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Eurovision Song Contest, Dahan is onsite to support Israel’s contestant Yuval Raphael — and report back to the Hebrew-language EuroMix fan site
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Palestinians line up to get a ration of hot food from a charity kitchen set up at the Islamic University campus in Gaza City on May 12, 2025. (Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
May 14, 2025, 3:00 pm
Daily Briefing May 14: Day 586 – Famine in Gaza? UN-linked group admits data not strong
Legal reporter Jeremy Sharon on a new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report claiming famine looms; Amy Spiro on 60 years of Israel-Germany ties – and the Eurovision
By Amanda Borschel-Dan, Jeremy Sharon and Amy Spiro
Israeli singer Yuval Raphael representing Israel on the turquoise carpet next to the Basel Town Hall during the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, on May 11, 2025. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
May 13, 2025, 7:39 am
Eurovision kicking off in Basel with glitz, schmaltz and little love for Israel
Yuval Raphael expected to face boos and protests during competition’s second semifinal Thursday, though organizers have steadfastly resisted calls for Nova survivor’s ouster
By Amy Spiro
Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, representing Israel with the song, 'New Day Will Rise,' walks on the turquoise carpet next to the Basel Town Hall, with protesters' Palestinian flags behind, during the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, on May 11, 2025. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
May 11, 2025, 11:48 pm
Israel’s Yuval Raphael and her team met by protests, threat as Eurovision week kicks off
Kan files police complaint after man makes throat-slitting gesture and spits at Israeli delegation; Palestinians flags fly as participants walk ‘turquoise carpet’ to open contest
By Amy Spiro, AFP and ToI Staff
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