What really happened behind the scenes in Malmö? Israel’s Eurovision 2024 representative, Eden Golan, reveals the secrets, traumas, and tears in a special candid interview.
Eden Golan arrived at Eurovision 2024 carrying an unimaginable burden: representing a nation under attack while the entire world watched. Now, a year after that harrowing experience, she opens up in a deep and moving interview with Walla for journalists Nir Yahav and Sagiv Ben Nun, sharing her fears, anxieties, tears-and the moments she managed to rise above it all and find the strength to go on. “There were nights I couldn’t fall asleep. I dreamed someone would shoot me in the middle of my performance,” she confides with chilling honesty.
“They Said I’m a Robot-But I’m the Most Sensitive Person in the World”
The interview began with hosts Nir Yahav and Sagiv Ben Nun referencing a viral post by Eden “HaPashuta,” claiming she “looks like a perfect robot, and it’s hard to believe she’s a real person.” Eden wasn’t offended, but rather the opposite: “Bless HaPashuta, wow, I loved that post. I wasn’t insulted at all. I’ve always known how to laugh at myself. Even on The Next Star, they said I had no emotions. But the truth is, I’m the most sensitive person there is-I just don’t show it outwardly.”
She describes how her perfectionism sometimes made her seem cold: “I worked very hard on everything-on singing, on dancing, on technique. People think it comes easily, but it’s years of work. No one is perfect, and I’m far from perfect. I keep a lot to myself and use music as a tool for emotional expression.”
Sleepless Nights: “I Woke Up from Dreams of Kidnapping and Shooting”
Eden did not hide the severe psychological impact of the war in Israel and the pressures placed on her during that period. “After October 7, I couldn’t sleep. There were entire nights where I dreamed someone was kidnapping me, that I was being shot at. My mind never rested for a moment.” According to her, the thoughts haunted her even when she tried to focus on work: “I had to perform and rehearse, but my brain wouldn’t stop working. It touched every one of us-the hostages, the situation in the country. It’s not something you can disconnect from.”
The Booing: “I Thought the Headphones Would Block It-But It Hit Me Like a Slap in the Face”
Many remember the dramatic moment when the audience booed Eden on the Eurovision stage. She recalls it in detail: “I was sure the headphones-the in-ears-would block all the noise. But the moment I got on stage, and the crowd started shouting, I realized it came through loud and clear. It was a shock. I got off stage and saw my dancers crying, even the publicist was crying. It was a very tough moment.”
But Eden did not break: “By the second rehearsal, I went up with fire in my eyes. I told myself-I don’t care anymore, it only makes me stronger. I even wanted to hear more booing-it became my fuel.”
Backstage Atmosphere: “People Avoided Me Like the Plague”
Eden describes the difficult atmosphere backstage. According to her, out of 37 participating countries, only a few reached out: “Tali from Luxembourg was amazing, Germany and France also said kind words backstage. But most just kept their distance, didn’t want to take pictures with me, didn’t want to talk to me. They were afraid they’d be boycotted if seen with me. You could say it was the Irish, the Greek, or the Dutch. Karma comes back! Oh, can I say that? Anyway, everything comes back. I truly believe in karma and energy. Amidst all this hate, I came with only love. I believe everything comes back, and I saw it come back – even from people who aren’t Israeli or Jewish, from all over the world.”
Eden also shared an incident where she was required to leave the main artists’ area on the day of the final: “Suddenly, they moved us to an isolated room, as if we were lepers. But in the end, it actually turned out well-we got a huge, quiet room, without noise around us.”
Threats to Her Life: “My Parents Feared I Wouldn’t Come Back”
One of the most difficult moments in the interview was when Eden spoke about real fears for her life: “There were TV reports with death threats, I was marked as a target. My parents supported me but were also very scared-they asked themselves if it was even worth it.” According to her, despite the tight security that included eight personal bodyguards and helicopters, the thoughts gave her no rest: “Your mind imagines the worst things, especially after all the threats.”
Advice to Yuval Raphael: “I Told Her-Don’t Think You Won’t Hear It”
Eden says she gave an important advice to Yuval Raphael, who followed her: “I spoke to her and warned her about the booing. I told her-prepare for it, don’t think the headphones will block everything. But I really hope this year it will be less extreme. Yuval is amazing, she’s ready for it and deserves to be there.”
Career After Eurovision: “I’m Not Afraid of the Label”
Eden dismissed concerns that Eurovision would stain her career: “It’s part of my history, and I’m proud of it. I continue to create and work hard. I have a new album on the way, showing new sides of me-from ballads to hip-hop. I’m not afraid of the label, on the contrary-I use it as leverage.”
International Barriers: “Production Companies Were Scared Off by My Project”
Eden also spoke about dealing with antisemitism in the international music industry: “We reached advanced talks with a big company, and then suddenly they came back and said-sorry, no one is willing to take on this project. And this came from Jewish people, which hurt even more.”
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.
Source: Hadshot HaBoker.
