Israel at Eurovision 2025: Yuval Raphael took the Eurovision stage for her final dress rehearsal with the song “New Day Will Rise.” Stay tuned for all the updates from Basel, Switzerland…
After the rehearsals held earlier this week, Israeli singer Yuval Raphael took the stage today for her last dress rehearsal at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, performing her song “New Day Will Rise.” She is set to perform 14th in the second semi-final tonight. A total of 37 countries are competing in this year’s contest.
Yuval Raphael’s performance opens in a particularly dramatic and striking fashion. Out of complete darkness that envelops the arena, Yuval slowly rises from the front of the stage, illuminated by a single spotlight. The audience can be faintly seen in the dim background, creating an atmosphere of anticipation as the moment builds. She moves slowly and deliberately toward the center of the stage, her steps carefully synchronized with the music.
Israel at Eurovision 2025: More Details About the Rehearsal Performance
In the second chorus, sung entirely in French, the stage setup changes: Yuval moves around a massive chandelier positioned at center stage and ascends an impressive staircase. An overhead camera captures the moment from above, adding a sense of scale, height, and theatricality that significantly amplifies the dramatic intensity of the staging.
As the song approaches its climax, a stunning wall of fireworks erupts behind Yuval, cascading downward like a waterfall of light. At the finale, the entire stage is flooded with blinding white light, intensifying the emotional impact of the closing scene. However, it must be noted that once again a noticeable off-key note was heard on the word “Pain”—a central part of the song that came across as jarring. This marks the third consecutive rehearsal where Yuval has struggled to deliver that specific moment accurately, raising concerns about her ability to deliver a consistent performance in the final. Unless she manages to overcome this difficulty, her momentum as a frontrunner could be compromised. If she succeeds, however, a top 5 result remains well within reach.
During the performance, whistling and boos were heard from the audience, and some spectators waved Palestinian flags—moments that did not go unnoticed by the cameras and were clearly felt in the arena.
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Israel at Eurovision 2025
“New Day Will Rise” is the name of the song to be performed by Yuval Raphael, who will represent Israel as song number 14 in the running order of the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, which will take place on May 15 in Basel, Switzerland. The song was written by Keren Peles, who also wrote “Hurricane,” Israel’s entry in last year’s contest. The song is performed in English, French, and Hebrew.
“New Day Will Rise” touches on one of the most universal and profound themes — the life-giving power of love and hope. The lyrics speak of coping with loss, separation, and pain, but also about the possibility of renewal and overcoming adversity. The song conveys the belief that every ending holds the promise of a new beginning, that pain will eventually fade, and that love will remain with us.
As of now, Israel is ranked fifth in the betting odds ahead of Eurovision 2025.
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.
