From Trauma to Triumph: Yuval Raphael’s Eurovision Journey
Yuval Raphael’s story is one of resilience, courage, and the transformative power of music. A survivor of the horrific Hamas terrorist attack on the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, Raphael has channeled her trauma into a remarkable musical journey, culminating in her selection to represent Israel at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland. Her story is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity and find solace and strength in artistic expression.
The attack on the Nova music festival was a day of unimaginable terror. Raphael, along with four friends and dozens of others, desperately sought refuge in a roadside bomb shelter near Kibbutz Re’im after fleeing the festival grounds by car. For eight agonizing hours, she was trapped in the cramped, concrete confines of the shelter, forced to hide beneath the bodies of those who had been killed. Hamas terrorists repeatedly returned to the shelter, firing their weapons at those huddled inside and even throwing grenades into the enclosed space. This horrifying experience mirrors the ordeal endured by many others that day, including American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, highlighting the widespread brutality of the attack.
In the aftermath of this traumatic event, Raphael turned to music as a means of coping with the emotional scars. With no prior professional singing experience, she found solace and healing in expressing her emotions through song. Music became her therapy, a powerful tool for processing the grief, fear, and trauma she had endured. Her decision to participate in Israel’s "Rising Star" competition, a televised talent show that determines the nation’s Eurovision representative, was not driven by ambition for fame, but by a desire to share her story and channel her pain into something positive.
Raphael’s performances on "Rising Star" captivated the nation. Her powerful rendition of "The Writings on the Wall," followed by a moving tribute to the victims of the attack with ABBA’s "Dancing Queen," showcased her raw talent and emotional depth. Her dedication of the song to "all the angels" lost in the October attack resonated deeply with audiences, who were moved by her strength and resilience. This unexpected journey from trauma survivor to Eurovision contender became a symbol of hope and healing for a nation still reeling from the devastating attack.
Raphael’s journey extends beyond the stage. Prior to her Eurovision selection, she bravely shared her harrowing experience with the United Nations Human Rights Council. This decision was not politically motivated, she emphasized, but driven by a desire to give voice to the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. She recognized the potential for criticism and even hostility from certain quarters, anticipating boos and pushback. Yet, she remained resolute in her commitment to tell her story, not from a place of victimhood, but from a position of strength and resilience.
Raphael’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest comes amidst a backdrop of political tension and controversy. Israel has faced calls for its exclusion from the competition due to the ongoing conflict and the IDF’s operations in Gaza. The European Broadcasting Union, however, has steadfastly maintained that Eurovision is a non-political event, rejecting attempts to politicize the competition. This isn’t the first time Israeli contestants have faced hostility. In 2024, Eden Golan, the Israeli representative, endured anti-Israeli protests and required a security detail. Even her song title, "October Rain," deemed too politically charged, had to be changed to "Hurricane." Raphael’s experience underscores the complexities and challenges faced by Israeli artists on the international stage, where political tensions can overshadow artistic expression. Nevertheless, she stands ready to represent her country, her voice carrying the weight of her personal journey and the resilience of a nation grappling with ongoing conflict. Her story is a powerful reminder of the healing power of music and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
