Hamas attack survivor to represent Israel at Eurovision

Yuval Raphael, a 24-year-old woman, has been chosen to represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest this coming May. This decision comes after she survived a horrific attack during the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. At this tragic event, Hamas attackers caused chaos, resulting in the deaths of 360 young festival-goers and taking 40 others hostage. Yuval was attending the festival with her friends when the attack occurred. To escape the danger, she had to hide under the bodies of those who had died, remaining in a bomb shelter for eight grueling hours. This traumatic experience has shaped her life, and now she is bravely sharing her story with the world. Yuval's journey to Eurovision began when she participated in the Israeli talent show HaKokhav HaBa, also known as The Next Star. Winning this competition has granted her the opportunity to represent her country on an international stage. She expressed her excitement by saying, 'I can't explain how excited and ready I am! Thank you for giving me this huge honour and trusting me to represent my country on the grand Eurovision stage in Switzerland. ' This statement reflects her deep appreciation for the chance to showcase her talent and represent Israel. Despite the physical and emotional scars she carries from the attack, including shrapnel lodged in her head and leg, Yuval only began her professional singing career last year. During the final of The Next Star, she performed a heartfelt rendition of ABBA's classic song 'Dancing Queen,' dedicating it to 'all the angels' who lost their lives at the festival. She believes that music plays a vital role in her healing process, helping her cope with the trauma she has endured. Yuval is multilingual, fluent in English, French, and Hebrew, and she has actively engaged in advocacy for Israel over the past year. This includes speaking to the UN Human Rights Council about her experiences as a survivor of the attack. The Israeli public broadcaster Kan will soon reveal her official song for Eurovision, which has generated much anticipation. Last year's winner of The Next Star, Eden Golan, represented Israel at Eurovision with her song 'Hurricane,' which finished in fifth place. The show has a history of selecting talented artists to represent Israel, and Yuval's selection continues this tradition. However, the road to Eurovision has not been without its challenges. Eden Golan faced significant criticism when she performed at Eurovision, as it marked Israel's first participation since the outbreak of the recent war in the Middle East. There were campaigns aimed at preventing Israel from competing altogether, but the European Broadcasting Union, the organization behind Eurovision, ruled that Israel was allowed to participate. Eden's team had to modify the lyrics of her song to ensure they adhered to the rules of political neutrality. Additionally, she faced threats against the Israeli delegation, which forced her to remain confined to her hotel room when she was not performing. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has resulted in a tragic loss of life, with approximately 1,200 people killed and many more affected since the fighting began in October 2023. Yuval's story is one of resilience and hope, as she uses her talent to bring joy to others while representing her country on a significant platform. Her participation in Eurovision serves as a reminder of the power of music to heal and unite people, even in the face of adversity.