Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the Hamas attack on the Nova music festival, has won the “Hakochav Haba” reality show and will represent Israel at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland. At 24 years old, Raphael received the highest votes from the public and judges. She will perform a song selected by a committee in March 2025, with her entry being one of the highlights at the event.
During the final of the contest, Raphael, known for her powerful voice, performed a ballad version of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” which she dedicated to “all the angels” lost in the Nova festival attack. She said music has played a key role in her healing process.
Raphael was with friends at the Nova festival on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked. She survived by hiding under the bodies of the dead in a roadside bomb shelter until Israeli Defense Forces rescued her after eight hours. Despite the horrific experience, which left her with shrapnel wounds, Raphael continues to speak out about her ordeal, including addressing the UN Human Rights Council.
While representing Israel, Raphael aims to share her story from a place of strength and pride. She expressed, “I want to tell the story of the country, of what I went through, of what others went through… from a place of standing strong.” Raphael’s participation is a testament to resilience, as she competes against talented performers in a high-profile international setting.
Her victory in the reality show marks a significant moment in her life as she prepares to represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest, despite the controversy surrounding the country’s participation in previous years.
