Israel at Eurovision 2025: Here’s how Yuval Raphael’s performance will look – the surprising decision made by Israel!

While exactly three weeks remain, Yuval Raphael will step onto the stage at the Eurovision 2025 semi-final in Basel, Switzerland, in an emotional and determined attempt to bring Israel its fifth victory in the competition’s history. This is a more challenging mission than ever, but it seems that the Israeli delegation has placed all bets on a brave and surprising decision – and now the first intriguing details of the performance are being revealed for the first time.

Dramatic Change: How Will Yuval Perform on Stage?

In the coming days, Yuval Raphael will depart with the Israeli delegation to Basel, where the official rehearsal round ahead of the semi-final will begin. At this stage, the full staging of the song “New Day Will Rise” is being kept under strict secrecy, as has been customary in recent years, and anticipation among fans is at its peak.

The song, which Yuval will perform, will be sung in three different languages – Hebrew, English, and French – as first revealed by Maor Ben Harush from Walla Celebs. However, that’s not all: it has now been revealed that unlike the performances of Noa Kirel and Eden Golan in recent years, both of whom performed with dancers – Yuval will take the stage alone, without any dancer accompaniment.

“The stage will be crazy and powerful and it will look wow,” said a source close to the production. He added: “At first, there were thoughts about having more people with her, but it was ultimately decided that there would be no dancers and Yuval will stand alone on stage.”

A Captivating Stage, Focused on Power and Emotion

The choice to have Yuval Raphael stand alone on stage comes from a focused artistic concept: no more dazzling pyrotechnics or sweeping choreography, but instead powerful emotion, personal interpretation, and uncompromising singing. The gamble is clear – to let the performance carry itself based solely on the singer’s abilities, without unnecessary distractions.

At present, full details about the stage design are not yet known, but it is clear that they will not settle for a simple and dry setup. The prevailing assumption is that visual effects, LED screens, and dynamic staging will be incorporated alongside the singing. It is doubtful that the singer will just stand and sing.

Who Is Directing Israel’s Eurovision Performance?

The team directing the staging of Israel’s Eurovision entry performed by Yuval Raphael consists of Shay Bondar, Yuval Cohen, and Yoav Tzafir. The trio also collaborated last year on the staging of “Hurricane.” Last year, Eden Golan’s performance included a large, illuminated neon ring that featured an integrated wind machine, with ladders on each side of the ring creating the appearance of a clock wheel. Five dancers – three men and two women – performed a complex modern dance on the structure. The staging, combined with the impressive performance, earned Israel a fifth-place finish in the grand final, setting high expectations for this year’s team.

Unavoidable Challenges: Palestinian Flags and Booing

Beyond the stage challenges, Yuval Raphael will also face a complex political reality. Following reports that the audience may be allowed to wave Palestinian flags during the competition, the singer is expected to confront particularly tense situations – which may also include booing from different parts of the venue.

Under these circumstances, standing alone on the stage, the heavy responsibility will fall entirely on Yuval’s shoulders. Yet judging by the strong encouragement from the delegation and the great faith in her abilities, it appears she is ready to meet the challenge.

National Broadcaster’s Response: Deafening Silence

In response to inquiries from media outlets regarding the performance details and expected political events, no comment was given by the Israeli national broadcaster, KAN. In other words, the strategy seems to be to avoid creating an early controversy and instead focus on music and artistic messaging.

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: וואלה סלבס

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.