Israel has started filming its Eurovision 2025 postcard: Yuval Raphael offers a rare glimpse into the country’s preparations for the grand European stage.

Last night, Yuval Raphael posted an Instagram story on her personal account, immediately sparking curiosity among Eurovision fans in Israel and across Europe. In the story, the singer is seen in the city of Lugano, Switzerland—an unusual destination for Israeli performers, particularly during the wintry climate of late March.

Shortly after the story was posted, many speculated that her presence in Lugano was related to the filming of Israel’s official postcard for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. This postcard will air just before Yuval Raphael’s performance in the second semi-final, scheduled for March 15 in Basel, Switzerland.

Unexpected Twist in Lugano?

Only a few minutes later, the story was removed. This might have been due to security concerns or sensitivity surrounding the European production. Later, however, Yuval shared another story—this time without directly referencing her location, yet clearly showing the breathtaking view from her hotel room.

The choice of Lugano—a city not widely known as a major international tourist destination—for Israel’s postcard filming raises questions. Perhaps the production aimed to highlight lesser-known Swiss scenery, or maybe it intended to reflect Yuval’s personal connection to a specific place or emotion through the landscape.

Whether the postcard will focus on Yuval, nature, or the contest’s slogan remains unclear. But one thing is certain: preparations for the second semi-final are well underway, and it’s now nearly certain—Israel, at least in terms of the postcard, is already on the map.

What Are Eurovision Postcards?

Over the years, postcards have become an integral part of the Eurovision viewing experience. These are short video clips broadcast immediately before each competing song and usually last between 30 seconds to a minute. Their dual purpose is to promote the host country by showcasing its attractions and landscapes, and to personally introduce the artist or band, often incorporating elements from their personal life, unique hobbies, or national and cultural identity.

In keeping with this tradition, it’s likely that Israel’s postcard will combine the stunning Swiss location—Lugano in this case—with glimpses into Yuval Raphael’s life or personality. If this proves true, the footage filmed in Switzerland this week will be instrumental in shaping how Yuval is presented to European audiences in hundreds of millions of homes across the continent.

A Look Back at Previous Postcards – And Changing Trends

Though postcards have become a Eurovision hallmark, their design varies from contest to contest, depending on the host country’s production vision. For instance, during the 2015 Eurovision in Austria, the 2018 edition in Portugal, and the 2019 contest in Israel, the emphasis was on showcasing the artists in iconic locations within the host nation. This blend of landscape and personality made the postcards more personal and immersive.

In contrast, there were years when the artists didn’t appear in the postcards at all. In Eurovision 2004 in Turkey, 2006 in Greece, and 2007 in Finland, the postcards focused solely on local tourism and aesthetics. Notably, in 2007, Finland chose to spotlight Nokia—then considered the pinnacle of technological innovation—presenting the nation as a cutting-edge tech powerhouse.

Additionally, postcards sometimes serve to promote the annual contest slogan. For example, in the 2008 contest held in Serbia, each postcard featured a letter written in the country’s language, directly linking to that year’s slogan: “Confluence of the Sound.” In 2015, Austria’s slogan “Building Bridges” was symbolized by packages sent to the performers, representing unity, friendship, and connection among nations.

The Israeli Eurovision Song for 2025 – All the Details

The Israeli Eurovision song was revealed during a festive broadcast aired on the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation “KAN”, during which the creators of the song and the members of the committee who chose the song for the competition appeared. The broadcast was hosted by Hila Korach, and during it, Yuval Raphael performed alongside Israel’s Eurovision 2024 representative, Eden Golan, and together they performed the song “Hurricane.” At the end of the broadcast, the official music video for the Israeli Eurovision song was revealed.

Listen to the Israel’s Eurovision 2025 song, performed by Yuval Raphael:

What Does the Israeli Eurovision Song Mean?

The song “New Day Will Rise” addresses one of the most universal and profound themes – the life-giving power of love and hope. The lyrics speak of dealing with loss, separation, and pain, but also about the possibility of overcoming and renewing. The song conveys the belief that with every ending comes a new beginning, that pain will fade, and love will remain with us. Each verse of the song highlights the way hope and love can carry us even in times of darkness and pain.

What Does the French Verse in Israel’s Eurovision Song Say?

The French verse in “New Day Will Rise” differs somewhat from the English verses in terms of emotional approach. While the English verses emphasize the light that enters our lives even in tough times and the love that remains with us after separation, the French verse, “Et même si tu dis adieu, Tu ne partiras jamais,” focuses more directly on the spiritual presence of the beloved, stressing the idea that love stays even when we part ways.

Who Will Direct Israel’s Eurovision Performance?

The team directing Israel’s Eurovision performance, with Yuval Raphael performing the song, is composed of Shai Bondar, Yuval Cohen, and Yoav Tsafir. The three also collaborated last year with the song “Hurricane,” which earned Israel 5th place in the Grand Final.

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.

Eurovision 2025: This is Israel’s 47th participation in Eurovision. Israel joined the competition in 1973 and has won it four times over the years. Israel’s last victory was at Eurovision 2018 with the song “Toy” performed by singer Netta Barzilai.