It’s confirmed: The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has informed the Israeli national broadcaster “KAN” that the song to be performed by Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2025, Yuval Raphael, has been fully approved. The song and video will be revealed on March 9th.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced today (Monday) that it has approved Israel’s song for Eurovision 2025. The song, written and composed by Keren Peles and produced by Tomer Biran, will be performed by Yuval Raphael in the second semi-final on May 15th in Basel, Switzerland.

The approval of the song, including its lyrics and title, which will be revealed later in a special broadcast on “KAN 11” on March 9th, comes against the backdrop of difficulties in approving Israel’s Eurovision 2024 entry and concerns about a repeat scenario, especially given the use of a quote from the Song of Songs. The next step will be to send the song performance and music video for EBU approval.

What We Know About Israel’s Eurovision Entry

As mentioned, the song was written and composed by singer-songwriter Keren Peles and produced by Tomer Biran. The song is expected to include the verse “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it” (Song of Songs, Chapter 8, Verse 7). The Song of Songs is a series of love songs between a couple, traditionally interpreted allegorically as representing the relationship between Israel and God, or in Christian tradition, between Jesus and the Church.

Additionally, Yuval Raphael posted a story on her Instagram page showing a sunset on the beach, possibly hinting at the song’s title, which will be revealed in a special broadcast on Kan 11 on March 9th, 2025.

The Song of Songs in Contemporary Music

The Song of Songs, the first of the five Megillot in the Hebrew Bible—Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther—was written by King Solomon. Many quotes from it, including the one added to the song, are ingrained in language as popular expressions appearing frequently in poetry and literature. Yuval Raphael is expected to perform it in Hebrew, of course.

The Committee’s Confidential Voting

The Israeli entry was selected by a professional committee of “KAN 11,” comprising senior music editors from the corporation, key figures in the Israeli music and television industry, and a public representative. The committee, which voted secretly to select the song, operated under the strict legal supervision of attorney Tomer Karni, deputy to the corporation’s legal advisor. The members listened to about 50 songs without knowing the creators behind each entry, unanimously selecting the winning song. Another song that came second was also highlighted by the committee members.

Keren Peles – Back in Eurovision!

Last year, Keren Peles wrote the song “Hurricane” along with Avi Ohayon and Stav Beger. Peles stated that she returned from the Eurovision in Malmo with a genuine post-trauma: “I came back feeling what it’s like to be in a reflective environment,” she said after the finale of “HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision“. Peles wrote and composed the song for Eurovision 2025 alone, with Tomer Biran producing it.

When Will Israel‘s Eurovision 2025 Song Be Revealed?

The Israeli song is expected to be revealed on Sunday, March 9, in a festive announcement broadcast that will air on KAN 11, KAN Gimel, KAN BOX, and the KAN digital platforms. Following the selection of the song, Yuval Raphael is expected to record her version of the chosen song. In the coming weeks, the official music video for the song will be filmed and unveiled on the evening of the announcement.

Yuval Raphael – Who are you?

Yuval, 24, from Ra’anana, lived in Geneva, Switzerland, during her childhood. She disclosed that she escaped from a Hamas terror attack on October 7th, during which grenades were thrown and shots were fired at a party. Many around her were killed, and she had to pretend to be dead to survive. What strengthens Yuval is music and advocacy for Israel. She has spoken in front of world leaders, met influential people, and even spoke at a Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva. She has become a focal point for international advocacy, presenting the true face of Israel and correcting the false image portrayed in the global arena. Her insistence on presenting the truth has made her a central and influential figure in both Israeli and global culture.

Yuval has never sung professionally and only started performing in front of audiences in recent months. The echoes of her performances quickly spread on social media, garnering warm praise and responses from viewers.

Yuval won first place in the TV show “HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2025” after being chosen by the panel of judges and the home audience. She will represent Israel in Eurovision 2025, to be held in Basel on May 13, 15, and 17, in hopes of bringing Israel its fifth win in the competition.

Source: KAN.