Israel Eurovision Entrant Performs Without Incident At Semi-Finals

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Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack at Nova Music Festival, delivered a smooth performance during Israel’s semi-final appearance in Eurovision held in Basel, Switzerland last Thursday. Despite the heated debates surrounding Israel’s participation due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Raphael managed to surpass her own expectations and avoid the anticipated boos from the audience.

Raphael, along with Katarsis from Lithuania, PARG from Armenia, Sissal from Denmark, JJ from Austria, Laura Thorn from Luxembourg, Erika Vikman from Finland, Tautumeitas from Latvia, Miriana Conte from Malta, and Klavdia from Greece, were among the 10 competitors who advanced to the finals after Thursday’s semi-final round.

Or in a more conversational style: Raphael was one of the lucky 10 who made it to the finals following Thursday’s semifinal, joining forces with Katarsis (Lithuania), PARG (Armenia), Sissal (Denmark), JJ (Austria), Laura Thorn (Luxembourg), Erika Vikman (Finland), Tautumeitas (Latvia), Miriana Conte (Malta), and Greece’s Klavdia.

These individuals will be part of Iceland’s Vaeb, Justyna Steczkowska from Poland, Tommy Cash of Estonia, Ukraine’s Ziferblat, Sweden’s KAJ, Portugal’s Napa, Norway’s Kyle Alessandro, San Marino’s Gabry Ponte, Albania’s Shkodra Elektronike, and the Netherlands’ Claude. In simpler terms, this group includes Iceland’s Vaeb along with Justyna Steczkowska from Poland, Tommy Cash of Estonia, Ukraine’s Ziferblat, Sweden’s KAJ, Portugal’s Napa, Norway’s Kyle Alessandro, San Marino’s Gabry Ponte, Albania’s Shkodra Elektronike, and the Dutch artist Claude.

Eurovision’s finals will air on Saturday at noon PST on Peacock.

At the latest two Eurovision Song Contests, the participation of Israel has sparked debate due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Recently, more than 70 past contestants have voiced their support for excluding Israel from the competition, asserting that Israel’s actions against Palestinians in Gaza amount to genocide and that they maintain a decades-long system of oppression through apartheid and military occupation over all Palestinian people.

As I tuned into the Eurovision broadcast, all I could see was the on-stage action and the crowd’s enthusiasm. However, a quick search online revealed some fans in the audience proudly waving Palestinian flags. Even before the semi-finals, Israel’s participation sparked protests, highlighting the complex political landscape surrounding this beloved song contest.

Some individuals have suggested that Israel should face exclusion from the competition, much like Russia did in 2022 due to its actions in Ukraine. Although the broadcast didn’t capture any demonstrations, certain online images from Thursday’s rehearsals depicted audience members waving Palestinian flags during Raphael’s performance.

Raphael openly discussed her ordeal at Nova, recounting to the United Nations Human Rights Council last year that on the day of the attack, she sought refuge in a bomb shelter and lay concealed beneath deceased individuals for hours, feigning death until her father and another Nova participant managed to rescue her.

Each time we peered up, we found ourselves puzzled by the dwindling number of individuals in the bomb shelter, she shared with the United Nations. “Initially, we believed the assailants were removing the deceased bodies,” she added, “but we failed to comprehend that it was the explosions from the grenades, obliterating their remains.

Previously representing Israel at Eurovision, Eden Golan faced boos during her performance last year. In a conversation with the BBC this week, Raphael shared that she had rehearsed with background noise such as boos in preparation for the upcoming event on Thursday. “I suppose I’m bracing myself for it,” said Raphael, “but we are here to perform, and I plan to pour my heart into every note for everyone.

On Tuesdays instead, outside the semifinals held on Thursday, Celine Dion unexpectedly appeared via video on the first semifinal. This happened thirty-seven years post her victory at Eurovision in 1988.

Music binds us, not just tonight, but always,” Dion expressed in French. “Fantastic! It’s our source of power, our comfort, and our solace in tough times. I adore each one of you, Europe as well as the rest of the world. Hugs, I love you all.

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2025-05-16 01:54