The Eurovision director who assumed his role this year, Martin Green, shares in an interview his perspective on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2025!
The new Eurovision director, Martin Green, who until now has maintained a low profile and refrained from personally addressing controversial issues, reveals his views on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2025 in a recent interview. As a reminder, Green’s position was created following lessons learned by the European Broadcasting Union after the events of Eurovision 2024, and he works alongside the current contest supervisor, Martin Osterdahl from Sweden.
When asked in the interview about Israel’s participation in Eurovision, the interviewers—who were relatively hostile toward Israel—compared the situation to that of Russia, which, as is known, was disqualified from participating in the contest in 2022. Green clarified: “Countries don’t compete in Eurovision, public service broadcasters do.” Green rejected the position of Stig Karlsen from Norway, who served as the head of the delegation that boycotted Israel in the previous Eurovision and argued that the participation of countries in international competitions should correspond to their current standing on the world stage. “I fundamentally believe that major events in sport and culture exist to show the world how it could be rather than it is… artists have always been good at showing the grownups that their attempts to divide us will not succeed.”
Attempting to characterize the nuances of the situation, Green continued, “We’re not buying paperclips or chairs. There’s always subjectivity in art—but there are also values. Respect for others. Safety. Care.”
It appears that the Eurovision director continues the line of the European Broadcasting Union, which has remained unchanged since the outbreak of the war. He supports Israel’s participation in Eurovision and does not address external politics, which are unrelated and should not be related to the Eurovision Song Contest, whose values are peace, brotherhood, and above all, non-political. The interview comes shortly after the Spanish request to review Israel’s participation in the contest, which was almost immediately rejected by the European Broadcasting Union, with a similar rationale: “All members of the European Broadcasting Union can participate in Eurovision.”
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.
Source: Eurovisionfun
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.
