Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025#HaKokhav HaBa

{{main|Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

Prior to the 2025 contest, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) until 2017, and the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC/Kan) since 2018, had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Israel forty-six times since the IBA's first entry in {{escyr|1973}}.{{cite web |title=Israel |url=https://eurovision.tv/country/israel |access-date=2023-08-09 |work=Eurovision.tv |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)}} They had won the contest on four occasions: in {{esccnty|Israel|y=1978|t=1978}} with the song "{{lang|he-latn|A-Ba-Ni-Bi|italics=no}}" by Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta, in {{esccnty|Israel|y=1979|t=1979}} with the song "Hallelujah" by Milk and Honey, in {{esccnty|Israel|y=1998|t=1998}} with the song "{{lang|he-latn|Diva|italics=no}}" by Dana International, and in {{esccnty|Israel|y=2018|t=2018}} with the song "Toy" by Netta. Since the introduction of semi-finals in 2004, they had, to this point, managed to qualify to the final 13 times, achieving, besides its 2018 victory, five top ten results, most recently in {{esccnty|Israel|y=2024|t=2024}} with "Hurricane" by Eden Golan placing fifth.

As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, Kan selects an entry to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. Kan confirmed its intention to participate in the 2025 contest on 31 May 2024,{{Cite news |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2024-05-31 |title=ישראל מאשרת השתתפות באירוויזיון 2025 |trans-title=Israel confirms participation in Eurovision 2025 |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/05/31/%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%9C-%D7%9E%D7%90%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%AA%D7%AA%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%91%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9F-2025/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}} announcing on 23 July that its representative would continue to be selected through the reality singing competition {{lang|he-Latn|HaKokhav HaBa}} (Rising Star).{{Cite web |last=Gil |first=Meshali |date=2024-07-23 |title=בפעם השמינית: הנציג לאירוויזיון ייבחר בתכנית "הכוכב הבא" |trans-title=For the eighth time: the Eurovision representative will be chosen in the program "The Next Star" |url=https://www.mako.co.il/tvbee-tv-news/Article-e591a590600e091026.htm |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=Mako |language=he}}

The artist who would represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 was selected through the reality singing competition {{lang|he-Latn|HaKokhav HaBa L'Eirovizion}} ({{Translation|The Next Star for Eurovision}}), produced by Tedy Productions and Keshet Media Group, and broadcast on Keshet 12 as well as online via mako.co.il. The shows took place at the {{Ill|Neve Ilan Communications Center|he|קריית התקשורת נווה אילן}} in Neve Ilan, and were hosted by Assi Azar and Rotem Sela. The judging panel for the competition was composed of Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon (who represented {{esccnty|Israel|y=2005|t=Israel in 2005}}), Ran Danker, {{ill|Itay Levi|he|איתי לוי}} and Eden Hason.{{Cite news |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2024-10-10 |title=הכוכב הבא לאירוויזיון 2025 תחל את שידוריה בחודש נובמבר - אירוויזיון 2025 |trans-title=The Next Star for Eurovision 2025 will begin broadcasting in November |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/10/10/%D7%94%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%91-%D7%94%D7%91%D7%90-%D7%9C%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9F-2025-%D7%AA%D7%97%D7%9C-%D7%90%D7%AA-%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%93%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%94/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}} Nasrin Kadri and {{ill|Static (Israeli singer)|lt=Static|he|סטטיק}} joined as guest judges.{{Cite web |last=Ben Harush |first=Maor |last2=Tarnovsky |first2=Roni |date=2024-12-30 |title=נסרין קדרי נעלבה משירי מימון שחיקתה אותה בשידור {{!}} צפו - וואלה סלבס |trans-title=Nasrin Kadri was offended by Maimon's songs that she imitated on air {{!}} Watch |url=https://celebs.walla.co.il/item/3715573 |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=Walla! |language=he}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-26 |title=סטטיק ממשיך בנתק מבן אל: זו התכנית בה יככב בקשת 12 |trans-title=Static continues his break from Ben El: This is the show he will star in on Keshet 12 |url=https://www.ice.co.il/tv/news/article/1044061 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Ice |language=he}}

Preliminary casting rounds began in late July 2024 and ended in early October. Qualifiers from the preliminary casting phase proceeded to the auditions proper, which began filming on 10 October.{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Avigad |date=2024-10-30 |title="הכוכב הבא לאירוויזיון": כוכבי העבר ממשיכים להגיע לאודישנים! - אירוויזיון 2025 |trans-title="The Next Star for Eurovision": Past stars continue to arrive for auditions! |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/10/30/%D7%94%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%91-%D7%94%D7%91%D7%90-%D7%9C%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9F-%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%91%D7%99-%D7%94%D7%A2%D7%91%D7%A8-%D7%9E%D7%9E%D7%A9/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}

Candidates were required to get a score of at least 70% of the votes from the judges and the studio audience in order to advance.

From the 66 advanced candidates, the judges picked 21 to proceed in a non-televised shortlisting round. Those candidates were: Kler, Yuval Raphael, Ori Saban, Ido Malka, Natalie Zafar, Renana Boaziza, Daniel Wais, Yuval Gold, Udi Schneider, Amit Sade, Alma Maimon de Razon, Dolev Mendelbaum, Valerie Hamaty, Hamsa, Nati Livian, Itay Paz, Perfylove Mongoza, Aviad Klein, Ilay Avidani, Shira Knopp, and Red Band and Moran Aharoni.{{Cite web |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2024-12-14 |title=הכוכב הבא: קלר, יובל רפאל, אורי סבאן, עידו מלכה, נתלי צפר ודניאל וייס ממשיכים לשלב הבא! - אירוויזיון 2025 |trans-title=The Next Star: Kler, Yuval Refael, Ori Saban, Ido Malka, Natalie Zafar and Daniel Wais continue to the next stage! |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/12/14/%D7%94%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%91-%D7%94%D7%91%D7%90-%D7%A7%D7%9C%D7%A8-%D7%99%D7%95%D7%91%D7%9C-%D7%A8%D7%A4%D7%90%D7%9C-%D7%90%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%99-%D7%A1%D7%91%D7%90%D7%9F-%D7%A2%D7%99%D7%93%D7%95/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}

In the top 21 round, the votes of the judges and an audience determine one or two contestants to be eliminated from each show. In each of the first three shows, the artist to be eliminated was the one getting the lowest overall score. In the fourth and fifth shows, the artists were coupled to perform duets, with the eliminee selected between the lowest scoring duo in the fifth show. In the sixth, seventh, fifteenth and sixteenth shows, the artists were paired in duels, with the winners directly qualifying to the next round; the judges then selected one or two eliminee per show among the others. In the eighth, ninth and tenth shows, each contestant performed a duet with a surprise guest artist. The lowest scoring contestant across both the eleventh and twelfth shows combined was eliminated. In the thirteenth and fourteenth shows, the judges decided which of the bottom two scoring contestants to be eliminated.

In the quarterfinal, which featured Rita as a guest act and had the contestants performing her songs, the artists were paired in duels with the winners directly qualifying to the next round; the judges then determined which contestant to eliminate from the losers of each duel.

In the semi-final, the votes of the judges and the audience determined a qualifier to the final. Afterwards, the scores were reset and an additional round took place, in which the judges individually awarded 12, 10, 8, and 7 points for the remaining four acts. The three acts that received the highest accumulated score from the judges and the studio audience proceeded to the final.

The final was held on 22 January 2025{{Cite web |last=Jeressi |first=Ofek |date=2025-01-08 |title=נציג ישראל לאירוויזיון 2025 ייבחר ב-22 בינואר! |trans-title=Israel's representative for Eurovision 2025 will be chosen on January 22! |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2025/01/08/%D7%A0%D7%A6%D7%99%D7%92-%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%9C-%D7%9C%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9F-2025-%D7%99%D7%99%D7%91%D7%97%D7%A8-%D7%91-22-%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%90/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}} and was divided into a first round, eliminating one finalist, and a superfinal among the remaining three artists, determining the winner. On 21 January, a special broadcast was aired featuring performances by guest artists and the finalists, each of whom announced which song they would perform in the first round of the final. A public vote, held via the Mako and Kan apps and determining 30% of the results of the first round, was opened after the performances in the first round of the final.{{Cite web |last=Jeressi |first=Ofek |date=2025-01-22 |title=הערב ב-21:30: ישראל בוחרת נציג לאירוויזיון 2025! |trans-title=Tonight at 9:30 PM: Israel chooses a representative for Eurovision 2025! |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2025/01/22/%D7%94%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%91-%D7%91-2130-%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%9C-%D7%91%D7%95%D7%97%D7%A8%D7%AA-%D7%A0%D7%A6%D7%99%D7%92-%D7%9C%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9F-2025/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=EuroMix |language=he}} In the superfinal, a 50/50 combination of jury and public votes selected Yuval Raphael as the winner.{{Cite web |last=Dahan |first=Tal |date=2025-01-22 |title=יובל רפאל תייצג את ישראל באירוויזיון 2025! |trans-title=Yuval Raphael will represent Israel at Eurovision 2025! |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2025/01/22/%D7%99%D7%95%D7%91%D7%9C-%D7%A8%D7%A4%D7%90%D7%9C-%D7%AA%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A6%D7%92-%D7%90%D7%AA-%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%9C-%D7%91%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9F-2025/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=EuroMix |language=he}}

The song that Yuval Raphael performed in the contest was internally selected by a professional committee, which consisted of {{ill|Barak Itzkovitz|he|ברק איצקוביץ'}} (director of Kan's music stations), Tal Argaman and Maya Druckman (DJs and music editors at Kan 88), Sharon Drix (Kan's culture and entertainment director); Tali Katz (Kan's culture and entertainment editor-in-chief), {{ill|Tamira Yardeni|he|טמירה ירדני}} (owner of Tedy Productions), and {{ill|Yoav Tzafir|he|יואב צפיר}} (editor-in-chief of {{lang|he-latn|HaKokhav HaBa}} and Israeli head of delegation at Eurovision).{{Cite news |last=Shachnik |first=Raz |date=2025-02-09 |title=יואב צפיר על סערת השיר לאירוויזיון: "פעלנו לפי התקנון. יובל רפאל מאושרת מהבחירה" |trans-title=Yoav Tzafir on the Eurovision Song Contest controversy: "We followed the rules. Yuval Raphael is happy with the choice" |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/yokra14254330 |access-date=2025-02-10 |work=Ynet |language=he}} On 30 December 2024, Kan and Keshet opened a window for specially selected songwriters to submit their entries until 2 February 2025; submissions were required to include at least two lines of lyric in Hebrew.{{Cite web |last=Jeressi |first=Ofek |date=2024-12-30 |title=השיר הישראלי לאירוויזיון 2025 ייבחר על ידי ועדה - אירוויזיון 2025 |trans-title=The Israeli song for Eurovision 2025 will be chosen by a committee |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/12/30/%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%A8-%D7%94%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%9C%D7%99-%D7%9C%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9F-2025-%D7%99%D7%99%D7%91%D7%97%D7%A8-%D7%A2%D7%9C-%D7%99%D7%93/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-30 |title=תקנון בחירת שיר אירוויזיון 2025 |trans-title=Regulations for the song selection for Eurovision 2025 |url=https://www.kan.org.il/media/zscflhy2/תקנון-בחירת-שיר-אירוויזיון-2025.pdf |access-date=2024-12-30 |website= |publisher=Kan |language=he |format=PDF}} Raphael also had the option to submit her own entry.{{Cite web |last=Eli |first=Ma'in |date=2025-01-13 |title=הכוכב הבא לאירוויזיון 2025: מתי וכיצד יתקיים הגמר הגדול? - אירוויזיון 2025 |trans-title=The next star for Eurovision 2025: When and how will the grand final take place? |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2025/01/13/%D7%94%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%91-%D7%94%D7%91%D7%90-%D7%9C%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9F-2025-%D7%9E%D7%AA%D7%99-%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%99%D7%A6%D7%93-%D7%99%D7%AA%D7%A7%D7%99/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}} 54 submissions were received at the closing of the deadline.{{Cite web |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2025-02-03 |title=ישראל באירוויזיון 2025: השיר ייחשף ב-9 במרץ! - אירוויזיון 2024 |trans-title=Israel at Eurovision 2025: The song will be revealed on March 9! |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2025/02/03/%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%9C-%D7%91%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9F-2025-%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%A8-%D7%99%D7%99%D7%97%D7%A9%D7%A3-%D7%91-9-%D7%91%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%A5/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}{{Cite news |last=Boker |first=Ran |date=2025-02-08 |title=מכתב היוצרים נגד בחירת השיר של קרן פלס לאירוויזיון: ״בטלו את ההחלטה. יש ניגוד עניינים״ |trans-title=Creators' letter against Keren Peles' song selection for Eurovision: "Cancel the decision. There is a conflict of interest" |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/sj8qt4sfke |access-date=2025-02-09 |work=Ynet |language=he}} The selected song, titled "New Day Will Rise" and written by Keren Peles, was presented on 9 March during a special broadcast on Kan 11, aired from the Yitzhak Rabin Center in Tel Aviv and hosted by Hila Korach.{{Cite news |last=Boker |first=Ran |date=2025-03-09 |title=אירוויזיון 2025: נחשף השיר שייצג את ישראל {{!}} צפו |trans-title=Eurovision 2025: The song that will represent Israel has been revealed {{!}} Watch |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/h1lxfsoo1e |access-date=2025-03-10 |work=Ynet |language=he}}{{Cite web |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2025-03-09 |title=הערב ב-21:30: חשיפת השיר הישראלי לאירוויזיון 2025 - "New Day Will Rise" - אירוויזיון 2025 |trans-title=Tonight at 9:30 PM: Unveiling the Israeli song for Eurovision 2025 - "New Day Will Rise" |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2025/03/09/%D7%94%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%91-%D7%91-2130-%D7%97%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%A4%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%A8-%D7%94%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%9C%D7%99-%D7%9C%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}

{{See also|Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024#Calls for exclusion}}

File:2025-05-11_ESC_Opening_Ceremony_BS_002.jpg during the opening ceremony in Basel, 11 May 2025]]

Due to the continuing Gaza war, calls were made for the exclusion of Israel, albeit at a smaller scale compared to those that occurred in the run-up to and during the 2024 contest.{{Cite web |last=Horan |first=Alex |date=2025-05-13 |title=Sidste års kaotiske Eurovision-finale forventes ikke at gentage sig |trans-title=Last year's chaotic Eurovision final is not expected to be repeated |url=https://www.dr.dk/event/melodigrandprix/sidste-aars-kaotiske-eurovision-finale-forventes-ikke-gentage-sig |access-date=2025-05-14 |website= |publisher=DR |language=da-DK}} Nonetheless, demonstrations against Israel's conduct in the war and its participation in the contest took place.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-17 |title=Anti-Israel protesters removed from Eurovision final after trying to storm stage |url=https://metro.co.uk/2025/05/17/pro-palestine-protesters-gather-basel-flares-smeared-blood-ahead-eurovision-final-23105024/ |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=Metro |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-05-15 |title=Israel qualifies for Eurovision final after protests disrupt rehearsal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c780xn5p72jo |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} The Slovenian broadcaster RTVSLO submitted a demand for the EBU to exclude Israel in December 2024. RTVSLO had also considered withdrawing from the contest and censorship of Israel's performance if Israel were not excluded.{{Cite web |last=Maatko |first=Alesh |date=2024-12-20 |title=Svet RTV SLO zahteva, da Izrael ne nastopa na Evroviziji |trans-title=RTV SLO board demands that Israel not perform at Eurovision |url=https://evrovizija.com/svet-rtv-slo-zahteva-da-izrael-ne-nastopa-na-evroviziji/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHSJQFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHX9XtXxJAbnlRtfxZur8dGHzIU9LiciCjUoxwa_PW3uLmaoRzoLkybLckQ_aem_LbBKUNCDSLM-vuVrG08JIQ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Evrovizija.com |language=sl-SI}}{{Cite web |last=Vautrey |first=Jonathan |date=2024-12-21 |title=Slovenia: RTVSLO council calls for Israel to be barred from Eurovision 2025 |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2024/12/21/slovenia-rtvslo-demands-israel-barred-eurovision-2025/282730/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Wiwibloggs |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2025-05-17 |title=Israel’s Yuval Raphael performs to mixed response at Eurovision 2025 final |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/eurovision/israel-eurovision-2025-final-performance-voting-odds-b2753035.html |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=The Independent |language=en}} The Finnish broadcaster Yle received a petition signed by over 500 Finnish artists in March 2025, demanding that the broadcaster boycotts the contest if Israel were allowed to compete; among the signatories were {{ill|Eija Ahvo|fi}}, Eero Ritala, and Sara Melleri.{{Cite web |last=Mikkilä |first=Lotta |date=2025-02-04 |title=Euroviisut {{!}} Yli sata suomalaistaiteilijaa vaatii Yleä boikotoimaan Euroviisuja Israelin vuoksi |trans-title=Over a hundred Finnish artists demand Yle boycott Eurovision because of Israel |url=https://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000011009847.html |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=Helsingin Sanomat |language=fi}}{{Cite web |last=Rinta-Tassi |first=Minna |date=2025-02-04 |title=Tunnetut suomalaistaiteilijat vaativat: Ylen tulisi boikotoida Euroviisuja |trans-title=Renowned Finnish artists demand: 'Yle should boycott the Eurovision Song Contest' |url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20141445 |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=Yle Uutiset |publisher=Yle |language=fi}}{{Cite web |last=Mattila |first=Mattias |date=2025-03-24 |title=Kulttuurialan vaikuttajilta vetoomus: Israel ulos Euroviisuista, tai Yle ulos kisasta |trans-title=Cultural figures issue petition: Israel out of Eurovision, or Yle out of the competition |url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20151378 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Yle Uutiset |language=fi}} Later that month, José Pablo López, chairman of the Spanish broadcaster RTVE, stated he would put the issue of Israel's participation to a vote in the broadcaster's board of directors in March.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-25 |title=López defiende que el Consejo de RTVE tenga una posición "consensuada" sobre Israel en Eurovisión 2025 |trans-title=López defends that the RTVE Council has a "consensual" position on Israel in Eurovision 2025 |url=https://www.europapress.es/sociedad/noticia-lopez-defiende-consejo-rtve-tenga-posicion-consensuada-israel-eurovision-2025-20250225110944.html |access-date=2025-02-26 |publisher=Europa Press |language=es-ES}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-26 |title=RTVE se plantea pedir la expulsión de Israel en el concurso de Eurovisión 2025 |trans-title=RTVE is considering asking for Israel's expulsion from the 2025 Eurovision contest |url=https://www.publico.es/politica/rtve-plantea-pedir-expulsion-israel-concurso-eurovision-2025.html |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Público |language=es-ES}} RTVE ultimately decided on 11 April that it would request a debate within the EBU regarding Kan's participation, citing "concerns raised by various civil society groups in Spain regarding the situation in Gaza".{{Cite press release |date=2025-04-11 |title=Comunicado de RTVE sobre la participación de la televisión pública israelí KAN en Eurovisión |trans-title=RTVE statement on the participation of Israeli public television KAN in Eurovision |url=https://www.rtve.es/rtve/20250411/comunicado-rtve-participacion-television-publica-israel-kan-eurovision-2025/16536940.shtml |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=rtve.es |publisher=RTVE |language=es-ES}}{{Cite web |date=2025-04-11 |title=RTVE pide a la UER que abra un debate interno sobre la participación de Israel en Eurovisión 2025 |trans-title=RTVE asks the EBU to open an internal debate on Israel's participation in Eurovision 2025 |url=https://www.eldiario.es/vertele/noticias/rtve-pide-uer-abra-debate-interno-participacion-israel-eurovision-2025_1_12214046.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Vertele |language=es-ES}} That same day, the EBU responded to RTVE's letter, acknowledging "concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East" but reiterating that all EBU members are eligible to compete.{{cite web|url=https://www.ebu.ch/news/2025/04/statement-from-ebu-in-response-to-letter-from-rtve-regarding-kan-participation-in-eurovision-song-contest-2025|title=Statement from EBU in response to letter from RTVE regarding Kan's participation in Eurovision Song Contest 2025|date=11 April 2025|publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)}} By the end of April, Flemish Belgian broadcaster VRT likewise joined in calling for a debate on Israel's participation.{{Cite news |date=9 May 2025 |title=VRT backs call for debate on Israel’s Eurovision participation |url=https://www.belganewsagency.eu/vrt-backs-call-for-debate-on-israels-eurovision-participation |access-date=10 May 2025 |work=Belga News Agency}}{{Cite news |last=Grunewald |first=Moonray |date=9 May 2025 |title=VRT steunt vraag voor debat over deelname van Israël aan Eurovisiesongfestival |trans-title=VRT supports request for debate on Israel's participation in Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/05/09/vrt-debat-deelname-israel-eurovisiesongfestival-ebu/ |access-date=10 May 2025 |work=VRT NWS}}

A week prior to the start of the contest, a group named "Artists for Palestine UK" released a petition, signed by 72 artists who were involved in previous editions, calling for Israel's exclusion; signatories included Salvador Sobral, winner of the {{Escyr|2017||2017 contest}}, and Charlie McGettigan, co-winner of the {{Escyr|1994||1994 contest}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/05/06/former-eurovision-contestants-call-for-israel-and-broadcaster-kan-to-be-banned|title= Former Eurovision contestants call for Israel and broadcaster KAN to be banned|date=May 6, 2025|publisher=Euronews|first=David |last=Mouriquand}}{{cite web|url=https://artistsforpalestine.org.uk/2025/05/06/former-eurovision-contestants-demand-exclusion-of-israel-from-contest/|title= Dozens of ex-Eurovision contestants demand exclusion of Israel from contest|date=May 6, 2025}} Around the same time, the National Union of Journalists called on Irish broadcaster RTÉ to demand for Israel's exclusion; RTÉ's director-general Kevin Bakhurst responded by stating that the broadcaster would also request a debate on Israel's participation within the EBU,{{Cite web |date=2025-05-07 |title=RTÉ asks EBU for discussion on Israel's inclusion in Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2025/0507/1511481-eurovision-nuj/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |publisher=RTÉ}} a request that was acknowledged by the EBU after a meeting with Bakhurst, who stated, "There is a commitment from the EBU to have a wider discussion amongst members in due course".{{Cite web |last=RTÉ |date=2025-05-09 |title=RTÉ Statement: Eurovision Song Contest 2025 |url=https://about.rte.ie/2025/05/09/rte-statement-eurovision-song-contest-2025/ |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=About RTÉ |language=en-GB}} Responding to an op-ed by 18 Norwegian artists calling for Israel's exclusion, broadcaster NRK stated that it would not seek a boycott.{{Cite web |last=Haugen |first=Vibeke Furst |date=2025-05-06 |title=Krigen i Gaza setter EBU på prøve |trans-title=The war in Gaza puts the EBU to the test |url=https://www.nrk.no/ytring/krigen-i-gaza-setter-ebu-pa-prove-1.17406016 |access-date=2025-05-07 |publisher=NRK |language=nb-NO}} In Iceland, 30 former Eurovision entrants signed a petition calling for Israel's exclusion; foreign minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir said that it was "in the hands of the EBU".{{cite news|url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2025-05-07-islenskir-eurovision-farar-stydja-brottvisun-israels-ur-keppninni-443054|title=Íslenskir Eurovision-farar styðja brottvísun Ísraels úr keppninni|date=2025-05-07|access-date=2025-05-12|author=Þorgrímur Kári Snævarr|publisher=RÚV|lang=is}}

The "Turquoise Carpet" event, held on 11 May 2025 in the host city Basel, was targeted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators aiming to protest Israel's participation.{{Cite web |last=Schuhmacher |first=Andrea |last2=Thommen |first2=Isabelle |date=2025-05-11 |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Aktivisten machen die Eröffnungsparty zur Demonstration |trans-title=Eurovision Song Contest: Activists turn the opening party into a demonstration |url=https://www.bazonline.ch/basel-eurovision-song-contest-die-eroeffnungszeremonie-467952716232 |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=Basler Zeitung |language=de-CH}} One protester "drew a finger across his throat as if he were threatening to slit Raphael's", which Israeli media outlets interpreted as a death threat.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-13 |title=Yuval Raphael keeps her cool at Eurovision's turquoise carpet |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-853708 |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}} Kan later filed a complaint with the Basel police.{{Cite news |last=Shechnik |first=Raz |last2=Boker |first2=Raz |date=2025-05-11 |title=Protester threatens slaughter as Yuval Raphael walks Eurovision Song Contest carpet with bodyguard {{!}} Watch |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/skjphqceel |access-date=2025-05-14 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}}

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 took place at {{lang|de|St. Jakobshalle|italic=unset}} in Basel, Switzerland, and consisted of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May and the final on 17 May 2025. All nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) were required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete in the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progresses to the final. On 28 January 2025, an allocation draw was held to determine which of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show, each country would perform in; the EBU split up the competing countries into different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot. Israel was scheduled for the second half of the second semi-final.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-28 |title=Eurovision 2025: Semi-Final Draw results |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2025-semi-final-draw-results |access-date=28 January 2025 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU |language=en}} The shows' producers then decided the running order for the semi-finals; Israel was set to perform in position 14.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-27 |title=Eurovision 2025: Semi-Final Running Orders revealed |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2025-semi-final-running-orders |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU}}

Yuval Raphael took part in technical rehearsals on 6 and 9 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 14 and 15 May.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-03 |title=Eurovision 2025: Rehearsal Schedule |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/eurovision-2025-rehearsal-schedule |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Eurovisionworld |language=en-gb}} The staging of her performance of "New Day Will Rise" was directed by Shai Bondar, Yuval Cohen, and Yoav Tzafir.{{Cite web |last=Solo |first=Guy |date=2025-04-27 |title=ישראל באירוויזיון 2025: פרטים ראשונים נחשפו על ההופעה של יובל רפאל! - אירוויזיון 2025 |trans-title=Israel at Eurovision 2025: First details revealed about Yuval Raphael's performance! |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2025/04/27/%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%9C-%D7%91%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9F-2025-%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%98%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%A0%D7%97%D7%A9/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}} The set was a {{convert|5.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} chandelier, with stairs which Raphael climbed during the performance; it is described as a nod to a 1901 photo of Theodor Herzl overlooking the Rhine River from a hotel balcony in Basel.{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/eurovision-offers-peek-at-israels-herzl-inspired-set/|title=Eurovision offers peek at Israel’s Herzl-inspired set|date=May 7, 2024|first=Amy|last=Spiro|website=The Times of Israel}}

Israel performed in position 14, following the entry from {{esccnty|Luxembourg|y=2025}} and before the entry from {{esccnty|Serbia|y=2025}}. At the end of the show, the country was announced as a qualifier for the final by winning the semi with 203 points.

Following the semi-final, Israel drew "producer's choice" for the final, meaning that the country would perform in the half decided by the contest's producers. Israel was set to perform in position 4, following the entry from the {{esccnty|Estonia|y=2025}} and before the entry from {{esccnty|Lithuania|y=2025}}.{{Cite web |date=16 May 2025 |title=The Running Order of the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/running-order-eurovision-2025-grand-final |access-date=16 May 2025 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU |language=en}} Raphael once again took part in dress rehearsals on 16 and 17 May before the final, including the jury final where the professional juries cast their final votes before the live show on 17 May. She performed a repeat of her semi-final performance during the final on 17 May. Israel placed second in the final, scoring 357 points: 297 points from the public televoting and 60 points from the juries. Israel placed first in the public vote.

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Each participating broadcaster assembles a five-member jury panel consisting of music industry professionals who are citizens of the country they represent. Each jury, and individual jury member, is required to meet a strict set of criteria regarding professional background, as well as diversity in gender and age. No member of a national jury was permitted to be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently.{{cite web |title=How the Eurovision Song Contest works |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/how-it-works |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=22 May 2024}} The individual rankings of each jury member as well as the nation's televoting results were released shortly after the grand final.

The following members comprised the Israeli jury:{{cite web|title=Grand Final of Basel 2025 – Jurors|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/basel-2025/grand-final/jury|website=eurovision.tv|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=18 May 2025}}

• Asher Asi Tal
• Saar Gamzo
• Yonatan Roe'h
• Avia Farchi
• Noga Klein

Following the contest, RTVE and VRT announced that they would request an audit on the televoting results in their countries, both of which gave their 12 points to Israel, with the former stating that other countries "would be joining them"; VRT additionally called for "full transparency" on the EBU's part, and that it would reconsider its participation in future editions, noting that the contest is "increasingly at odds with the original standards and values of the event, as well as those of public broadcasting."{{Cite web |last=Heylen |first=Kathleen |date=2025-05-19 |title=Moet televoting bij Songfestival herbekeken worden? "Te makkelijk om resultaten op grote schaal te beïnvloeden" {{!}} VRT NWS: nieuws |trans-title=Should Eurovision televoting be reconsidered? "Too easy to influence results on a large scale" |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/05/19/eurovisiesongfestival-commotie-rond-televoting-hoe-werkt-het/?utm_source=corporate&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=rssfeed&utm_content=vrt-nws |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=VRT NWS |publisher=VRT |language=nl-BE}} RÚV and Walloon Belgian broadcaster RTBF issued statements in support of the decision.{{Cite web |last=Gracia |first=Jose |date=2025-05-19 |title=La VRT belga sigue los pasos de RTVE y exige una auditoría del televoto en Eurovisión 2025 |trans-title=The Belgian VRT follows RTVE's lead and demands an audit of the Eurovision 2025 televoting |url=https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2025/la-vrt-belga-sigue-los-pasos-de-rtve-y-exige-una-auditoria-del-televoto-en-eurovision-2025/ |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=ESCplus España |language=es-ES}} Finnish broadcaster Yle stated it would ask the EBU to rework the televoting system "to avoid its abuse", but it would not emphasise Israel's role in the results;{{Cite web |last=Kallunki |first=Elisa |last2=Eskonen |first2=Hanna |date=2025-05-19 |title=Yle aikoo puuttua Euroviisujen äänestykseen – väärinkäytökset pitäisi estää, sanoo viisupomo |trans-title=Yle plans to intervene in Eurovision voting – abuses should be prevented, says Yle boss |url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20162711 |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Yle Luovat sisällöt ja media |publisher=Yle |language=fi}} Norwegian broadcaster NRK later came out in support of a review of the voting system.{{Cite web |last=Østbø |first=Stein |date=2025-05-22 |title=NRK om stemmerot i Eurovision: – Alvorlig |trans-title=NRK on voting system in Eurovision: –⁠ Seriously |url=https://www.vg.no/rampelys/i/Eye2Q2/nrk-om-stemmerot-i-eurovision-alvorlig |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=VG |language=no}} Dutch broadcasters AVROTROS and NPO also joined calls for a wider discussion among EBU members regarding Israel's participation.{{Cite web |last=Broeders |first=Fleur |date=2025-05-20 |title=AvroTros en NPO willen gesprek met EBU over spanningen op songfestival: 'Deelname Israël roept vragen op' |trans-title=AvroTros and NPO want to talk to EBU about tensions at Eurovision: 'Israel's participation raises questions' |url=https://www.ad.nl/show/avrotros-en-npo-willen-gesprek-met-ebu-over-spanningen-op-songfestival-deelname-israel-roept-vragen-op~a5e84ced/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Algemeen Dagblad |language=nl}} RTÉ later joined RTVE and VRT in requesting an audit on the televoting results.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-20 |title=RTÉ requests breakdown of Eurovision voting numbers amid questions over public televote results |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/rte-requests-breakdown-of-eurovision-voting-numbers-amid-questions-over-public-televote-results/a1899631218.html |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Irish Independent}} Several parties alleged influence operations as a factor in Israel's high televoting score; the Spanish newspaper {{lang|es|El País}} pointed to mobilisation campaigns by the Israeli government and several European far-right affiliated media outlets.{{Cite web |last=Martínez |first=Héctor Llanos |date=2025-05-18 |title=¿Cómo se reparten los puntos del público en Eurovisión? ¿Por qué Israel domina el televoto |trans-title=How are the public votes distributed in Eurovision? Why does Israel dominate the televote? |url=https://elpais.com/television/2025-05-18/como-se-reparten-los-puntos-del-publico-en-eurovision-por-que-israel-domina-el-televoto.html |access-date=2025-05-18 |work=El País |language=es-ES}} Some Belgian MPs also mentioned an influence campaign by Israeli authorities and questioned the country's participation,{{Cite web |date=2025-05-19 |title=Les résultats de l'Eurovision suscitent une vive polémique: "Il est évident qu'Israël a tenté de manipuler le télévote" |trans-title=Eurovision results spark heated debate: "It is clear that Israel tried to manipulate the televote" |url=https://www.lalibre.be/culture/musique/2025/05/19/les-resultats-de-leurovision-suscite-une-vive-polemique-il-est-evident-quisrael-a-tente-de-manipuler-le-televote-CS5WON2CBBATLBGRKR7TSPP2UI |access-date=2025-05-19 |work=La Libre Belgique |language=fr-BE}} while MPs from the Spanish left-wing alliance Sumar registered a proposal to demand a reform in the contest and the removal of Israel from it.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-20 |title=Sumar pide en el Congreso una reforma del Festival de Eurovisión, la expulsión de Israel y refundar la UER |trans-title=Sumar calls for a reform of the Eurovision Song Contest, the expulsion of Israel, and the refounding of the EBU in Congress |url=https://www.europapress.es/sociedad/noticia-sumar-pide-congreso-reforma-festival-eurovision-expulsion-israel-refundar-uer-20250520190857.html |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=Europapress.es |language=es-ES}}{{Cite web |date=2025-05-20 |title=IU pide cambiar el sistema de voto de Eurovisión tras la polémica con Israel |trans-title=IU calls for a change to the Eurovision voting system following the controversy with Israel |url=https://www.infobae.com/espana/agencias/2025/05/20/iu-pide-cambiar-el-sistema-de-voto-de-eurovision-tras-la-polemica-con-israel/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=Infobae |language=es-ES}} Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez also called for Israel's exclusion following the contest, saying that "double standards" were being applied by excluding Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but not Israel due to its conduct in the Gaza war, which has been characterised as genocidal.{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Andrew |date=2025-05-19 |title=Spain's prime minister says Israel should be excluded from Eurovision due to 'double standards' |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/spain-prime-minister-israel-eurovision-excluded-6708862-May2025/ |access-date=2025-05-19 |work=TheJournal.ie}}

On 19 May 2025, Eurovision News Spotlight, a fact-checking and open-source intelligence initiative by the EBU, published an investigation which found evidence that the Israel Government Advertising Agency conducted a cross-platform advertising campaign on Google platforms and utilised official state social media accounts to encourage public support for Israel's entry in the contest, and provided instructions on how voters could cast all 20 of their allowed votes for Israel. As part of the investigation, Eurovision News Spotlight analysed a YouTube account created on 20 April 2025, under the username @Vote4NewDayWillRise. Between 6 and 16 May, the account published 89 videos, which collectively garnered over 8.3 million views. The analysis, conducted using open-source tools, found no evidence that artificial intelligence was used for the advertisements, suggesting that the Israeli representative Yuval Raphael was personally involved in the creation of the promotional videos.{{cite news |last1=Bowler |first1=Derek |last2=Flannery |first2=Maria |date=2025-05-20 |title=Israeli government agency paid for adverts targeting Eurovision Song Contest public vote |url=https://spotlight.ebu.ch/p/israeli-government-agency-paid-for |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250520124828/https://spotlight.ebu.ch/p/israeli-government-agency-paid-for |archive-date=2025-05-20 |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=spotlight.ebu.ch |publisher=Eurovision News Spotlight |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2025-04-11 |title=EBU launches Spotlight fact-checking network to combat misinformation and support trusted news |url=https://www.ebu.ch/news/2025/04/ebu-launches-spotlight-fact-checking-network-to-combat-misinformation-and-support-trusted-news |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=ebu.ch |publisher=EBU |language=en}} The Israeli government had previously admitted to attempting to boost the public vote for the Israeli entry through a promotional campaign during the 2024 contest.{{Cite news |date=12 May 2024 |title=יש לא מעט הפתעות: אלה המדינות שבהן הקהל נתן 12 נקודות לעדן גולן |trans-title=There are quite a few surprises: these are the countries where the audience gave 12 points to Eden Golan |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/sykjyhaza |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240514143321/https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/sykjyhaza |archive-date=14 May 2024 |work=Ynet |language=he}}{{Cite web |last=Pérez |first=Laura |date=2024-05-17 |title=El Gobierno de Israel confirma que invirtió mucho dinero para fomentar el voto a Eden Golan en Eurovisión 2024 |trans-title=The Government of Israel confirms that it invested a lot of money to encourage the vote for Eden Golan in Eurovision 2024 |url=https://www.eldiario.es/vertele/noticias/gobierno-israel-confirma-invirtio-dinero-fomentar-voto-eden-golan-eurovision-2024_1_11374185.html |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Vertele |language=es-ES}}

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2025}}

{{Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

2025

Category:Countries in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025

Category:Advertising and marketing controversies