In the final round of Rising Star on Wednesday, Yuval Raphael triumphed over a strong contender, Valerie Hamaty, an Arab Christian who had gained admiration for her brave performances for wounded IDF soldiers during the war. Raphael's performance was met with overwhelming approval, receiving a remarkable 98% audience approval during her first audition—the highest of the season. One judge was so impressed by her talent that he immediately declared her as his “unequivocal” choice to represent Israel at Eurovision, according to JBN reports.
In a pre-recorded interview aired during the competition, Raphael shared a deeply personal story of survival from October 7, the day of the Hamas terrorist attack. "I was in a portable bomb shelter on Route 232 between Be’eri and Re’im," she recalled. "Terrorists entered the small concrete room about 20 times over eight hours, spraying the interior with machine gun fire and throwing grenades."
The 24-year-old singer described how she hid beneath the bodies of those who had been killed, while calling her father and desperately asking him to contact the police. He calmly told her, “Yuvali, take a deep breath, hide, play dead.” Raphael, who was one of 50 people in the shelter, survived along with only 10 others.
Despite the trauma of that day, Raphael has refused to let it define her. She found solace in publicly sharing her story, which has become a healing journey for her. Representing Israel at Eurovision, she said, is a way to show the world Israel’s courage and resilience in the face of terror.
While Israelis view her as an excellent symbol of bravery, the contest’s security considerations are no small matter. Last year in Malmo, Sweden, Israeli singer Eden Golan faced significant backlash, with thousands of protesters rallying against her participation. The situation led to heightened security measures, with Golan and her team requiring 24/7 protection from Israel’s security service throughout the event. As Raphael prepares for Eurovision, the safety of both her and her team will be of the utmost priority.
Raphael’s victory on Rising Star and her upcoming Eurovision performance represent more than just a musical achievement—they stand as a testament to the resilience of the Israeli spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
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