Yuval Raphael, Eden Golan, and former Israeli Eurovision representatives will join a ceremony led by “Kumu” with families of victims and hostages, blending music with remembrance and resilience.
On the second anniversary of the October 7th massacre, a special memorial ceremony will take place, initiated by the movement “Kumu” (Wake Up) and the families of murdered and kidnapped victims. Prominent figures from Israel’s Eurovision legacy will take part, artists who have represented the cultural voice of the nation for more than 50 years.
The event, organized by “Kumu” founders Yonatan Shimriz and Omri Shifroni, is designed not only to honor the memory of the victims but also to strengthen public advocacy for the release of the hostages. For many, the presence of Eurovision performers symbolizes a broad cultural and national consensus in the demand for justice and remembrance.
The Israeli Eurovision Stars on Stage
As revealed on the Facebook page of the entertainment show “Erev Tov” with Guy Pines, the ceremony will include appearances by several past Israeli representatives:
- Yuval Raphael, Israel’s representative at Eurovision 2025.
- Eden Golan, Israel’s representative at Eurovision 2024.
- Rita, Israel’s representative at Eurovision 1990, widely regarded as one of the most beloved singers in Israeli culture.
- Shlomo Artzi, who represented Israel in 1975 and later became one of the country’s most iconic musicians.
- Shiri Maimon, Israel’s representative at Eurovision 2005.
- Yardena Arazi, who represented Israel twice: as part of the group Chocolate Menta Mastik in 1976, and again as a soloist in 1988.
The ceremony will also feature Daniel Weiss, a finalist from The Next Star for Eurovision, who tragically lost both parents during the massacre at Kibbutz Be’eri. His participation resonates deeply as a personal testimony to the immense pain of that day.
Eurovision and the October 7 Aftermath
The Eurovision stage has found itself intertwined with the impact of the October 7th massacre. In the months that followed, political debates and music became inseparable:
- During preparations for Eurovision 2024 in Malmö, international debates erupted over whether Israel should be allowed to compete due to the war and humanitarian concerns in Gaza.
- Israel’s 2024 representative Eden Golan was compelled to alter her song’s lyrics. She became a symbol of resilience against boycotts and hostility, ultimately earning strong support from both Israeli and international audiences.
- In 2025, Yuval Raphael also faced boos and criticism, with claims that Israel was exploiting her personal experience of surviving the Nova Festival massacre. Yet, after her powerful performance in the final, she declared “Am Yisrael Chai” (“The People of Israel Live”) before winning first place in the televote and second place overall.
Above all, the voices of Israeli Eurovision representatives, who have carried Hebrew music to an international audience over decades, now resonate with renewed significance. They embody remembrance, resilience and the ongoing call for the release of the hostages.
Israel at Eurovision 2025
“New Day Will Rise” is the song performed by Yuval Raphael, who was chosen to represent Israel after winning the 11th season of “HaKokhav HaBa”. Israel advanced to the final after winning the second semi-final with 203 points and finished second overall with 357 points in the grand final. Israel ranked first in the public vote but only 14th with the jury. This marks the third consecutive year that Israel has reached the top five – an unprecedented achievement.
Eurovision 2025: This was Israel’s 47th participation in Eurovision. Israel joined the contest in 1973 and has won four times. Its most recent victory was at Eurovision 2018 with the song “Toy,” performed by singer Netta Barzilai.
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Maor Heumann has been writing about the Eurovision Song Contest and following it for over three decades. He has attended five contests and has found something to appreciate in almost every possible musical genre — from the sugary pop entries that finish last in the semi-finals to the quirky avant-garde pieces that even the competition’s juries struggled to connect with. He usually prefers original languages and songs with depth over Swedish-produced English clones — though he doesn’t promise to stick to that rule.
He grew up on the kibbutz of Sara’le Sharon, who instilled in him a love for music and created his first connection to the contest back in 1993 — before most of the current editorial team was even born.
