New Day Will Rise

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"New Day Will Rise" was written by Keren Peles and produced by {{ill|Tomer Biran|he|תומר בירן}}.{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Eliana |date=4 March 2025 |title=Israel selects song 'New Day Will Rise' for Eurovision performance |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/world/israel-selects-song-new-day-will-rise-for-eurovision-performance-d5khrggm |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Jewish Chronicle |language=en |archive-date=11 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250511124039/https://www.thejc.com/news/world/israel-selects-song-new-day-will-rise-for-eurovision-performance-d5khrggm }} The song's singer, Yuval Raphael, survived the October 7 attacks and the Nova music festival massacre, where she hid in a shelter amongst dead bodies to avoid being killed by Hamas militants during the massacre.{{Cite news |last=Boker |first=Ran |date=15 March 2025 |title=From trauma to triumph: Yuval Raphael's emotional Eurovision journey—with fellow October 7 survivors |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/bk3w4wx3kl |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2025 |work=Ynet |language=en |archive-date=20 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420063844/https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/bk3w4wx3kl }}

The song features verses in three languages: English, French, and Hebrew, with the song being described by Israel Hayom's Nathan Stollero as an encouragement to "look forward, towards the future, with the intention of developing and growing".{{Cite web |last=Stollero |first=Nathan |date=9 March 2025 |title=בלדה עוצמתית ומרגשת: נחשף השיר הישראלי לאירוויזיון 2025 |trans-title=A powerful and moving ballad: The Israeli song for Eurovision 2025 has been revealed |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/culture/music/article/17508188 |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=Israel Hayom |language=he}} Another analysis by writer Guy Solo from Israeli Eurovision fansite EuroMix stated that the song featured the themes of "love and hope", adding that the song's lyrics "speak of coping with loss, separation and pain, but also of the possibility of overcoming and renewal".{{Cite web |last=Solo |first=Guy |date=30 April 2025 |title="הייתי מוקפת בגופות": סיפורה הבלתי ייאמן של נציגת ישראל באירוויזיון, יובל רפאל – ב-7 באוקטובר 2023 |trans-title="I was surrounded by bodies": The unbelievable story of Israel's Eurovision representative, Yuval Raphael - on October 7, 2023 |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2025/04/30/%D7%94%D7%99%D7%99%D7%AA%D7%99-%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%A7%D7%A4%D7%AA-%D7%91%D7%92%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%91%D7%9C%D7%AA%D7%99-%D7%99%D7%99%D7%90%D7%9E/ |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}} In interviews, Peles stated the song was meant to represent a "new sunrise" that Israelis wish for after the Gaza war.{{Cite web |last=Spiro |first=Amy |date=10 March 2025 |title=Israel unveils 'New Day Will Rise,' its 2025 Eurovision power ballad |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-unveils-new-day-will-rise-its-2025-eurovision-power-ballad/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=12 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512103701/https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-unveils-new-day-will-rise-its-2025-eurovision-power-ballad/ }} Peles later added in Ynet in response to calls for Israel's exclusion from Eurovision that she wanted the song to "place the beautiful, beating Israeli heart at the center... The more they try to bring her down, the stronger she rises."{{Cite news |last=Shechnik |first=Raz |date=12 May 2025 |title=Eurovision song writer: 'There has never been such a widespread backlash against Israel' |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/rkq0si1zle |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2025 |work=Ynet |language=en |archive-date=12 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512120834/https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/rkq0si1zle }}

The song premiered on 9 March 2025 during a special broadcast on Kan 11.{{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}}{{Cite news |last=Boker |first=Ran |date=9 March 2025 |title=אירוויזיון 2025: נחשף השיר שייצג את ישראל |trans-title=Eurovision 2025: The song that will represent Israel has been revealed |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/h1lxfsoo1e |access-date=10 March 2025 |work=Ynet |language=he}} A Hebrew Bible verse from {{Bible verse|Song of Songs|8:7a}}{{langx|he|מים רבים לא יכבו את האהבה ונהרות לא ישטפוה}} is featured within the song;{{Cite news |last=Monitz |first=Shmuel |date=10 March 2025 |title=לא רק יובל רפאל: השירים שגייסו את התנ"ך לטובת ישראל באירוויזיון |trans-title=Not just Yuval Raphael: The songs that mobilized the Bible for Israel's benefit at Eurovision |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/judaism/article/rkoo11x3sjg |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=Ynet |language=he |archive-date=23 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250323022145/https://www.ynet.co.il/judaism/article/rkoo11x3sjg }} when it was originally released, the original version featured a mispronunciation of the verse.{{Cite web |last=Genn |first=James |date=10 March 2025 |title=Eurovision's Yuval Raphael to re-record song after mistake in biblical quote |url=https://www.jpost.com/j-spot/article-845491 |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=11 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250511165442/https://www.jpost.com/j-spot/article-845491 }} As a result, a rerecorded version with the proper pronunciation was released three days later.{{Cite web |last=Solo |first=Guy |date=12 March 2025 |title=להאזנה: "New Day Will Rise" – הגרסה החדשה של השיר של יובל רפאל לאירוויזיון! |trans-title=Listen: "New Day Will Rise" – the new version of Yuval Rafael's Eurovision song! |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2025/03/12/%D7%9C%D7%94%D7%90%D7%96%D7%A0%D7%94-new-day-will-rise-%D7%94%D7%92%D7%A8%D7%A1%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%97%D7%93%D7%A9%D7%94-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%A8-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%99%D7%95/ |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}

Along with the song's release, an accompanying music video directed by Ofir Peretz was released on the same day.{{Cite web |last=Cramer |first=Philissa |date=9 March 2025 |title='Darkness will fade,' Yuval Raphael sings in Israel's Eurovision entry, 'New Day Will Rise' |url=https://www.jta.org/2025/03/09/israel/darkness-will-fade-yuval-raphael-sings-in-israels-eurovision-entry-new-day-will-rise |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |language=en-US |archive-date=8 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250408031618/https://www.jta.org/2025/03/09/israel/darkness-will-fade-yuval-raphael-sings-in-israels-eurovision-entry-new-day-will-rise }} The video was filmed throughout the days of 25–26 February.{{Cite web |last=Swissa |first=Eran |date=15 February 2025 |title=כך תשתתפו בקליפ של ישראל לאירוויזיון! |trans-title=This is how you can participate in Israel's music video! |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/forreal/localy/article/17366964 |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=Israel Hayom |language=he |archive-date=3 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250503131844/https://www.israelhayom.co.il/forreal/localy/article/17366964 }} According to Peretz, the video features Raphael and a group of her friends "heading out into nature", with Raphael "gradually" telling her group's story by singing. In an analysis by The Jerusalem Post's Hannah Brown, the group of people participating in recreational activities within the video demonstrates how the survivors of the Nova festival massacre recover.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Hannah |date=9 March 2025 |title='New Day Will Rise' – Israel's Eurovision video revealed |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-845374 |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=22 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422104253/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-845374 }} The video also features the usage of red anemones, Israel's national flower.{{Cite web |last=Ghermezian |first=Shiryn |date=10 March 2025 |title=Israel Releases 'New Day Will Rise,' to Be Performed by Yuval Raphael in 2025 Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/03/10/israel-releases-new-day-will-rise-be-performed-yuval-raphael-2025-eurovision-song-contest/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=The Algemeiner |language=en-US |archive-date=17 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317194706/https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/03/10/israel-releases-new-day-will-rise-be-performed-yuval-raphael-2025-eurovision-song-contest/ }} Another alternate video created by AI artists Boaz Tamir and Uri Galiri was released on 9 April, which was described by the duo was a "direct continuation of the 'Hurricane' music video".{{Cite web |date=9 April 2025 |title=צפו: קליפ חדש לשיר הישראלי שייצג אותנו באירוויזיון |trans-title=Watch: New music video for the Israeli song that will represent us at Eurovision |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/culture/internet-culture/article/17718092 |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=Israel Hayom |language=he |archive-date=10 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250410073536/https://www.israelhayom.co.il/culture/internet-culture/article/17718092 }}

To promote the song, Raphael accepted an invitation to meet Israeli president Isaac Herzog on 5 May 2025.{{Cite web |date=5 May 2025 |title='Being there is already a victory': Yuval Raphael meets Herzog ahead of Eurovision |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-852677 |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=12 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512100638/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-852677 }} Raphael did not attend any Eurovision pre-parties;{{Cite web |last=Stollero |first=Nathan |date=22 April 2025 |title=בלי יובל רפאל: ישראל מחוץ למסיבות האירוויזיון המקדימות |trans-title=Without Yuval Raphael: Israel out of Eurovision preliminary parties |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/culture/music/article/17611997 |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=Israel Hayom |language=he |archive-date=28 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328110153/https://www.israelhayom.co.il/culture/music/article/17611997 }} however, she did schedule an appearance at a fan event organised by OGAE Israel to promote the song on 28 March.{{Cite web |last=Berger |first=Aviad |date=13 March 2025 |title=פתחו יומנים: ב-28 במרץ ייערך המפגש של חובבי האירוויזיון עם יובל רפאל! |trans-title=Open your diaries: On March 28th, the Eurovision fans' meeting with Yuval Raphael will take place! |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2025/03/13/%D7%A4%D7%AA%D7%97%D7%95-%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%91-28-%D7%91%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%A5-%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%9A-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%A4%D7%92%D7%A9-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%97%D7%95%D7%91%D7%91/ |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}} In addition, the Israel Government Advertising Agency allegedly paid for advertisements to air on Google devices before and during the contest, with the advertisements being produced in multiple languages and being aired in 35 countries according to an investigation from Spotlight, an independent news outlet operated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the sanctioning body for Eurovision.{{Cite web |last1=Bowler |first1=Derek |last2=Flannery |first2=Maria |date=19 May 2025 |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 |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=Spotlight |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |language=en |archive-date=20 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250520001739/https://spotlight.ebu.ch/p/israeli-government-agency-paid-for }} The advertisements featured Raphael detailing to prospective voters how to vote for Israel depending on which country it was targeted to.{{Cite web |last=Pedra |first=Jordi |date=20 May 2025 |title=EBU fact-checking network investigates Eurovision 2025 voting drive sponsored by an Israeli government agency |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/05/20/israeli-government-agency-sponsored-eurovision-2025-voting/284950/ |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=Wiwibloggs}}

Amongst Israeli media, reception was mixed. Maariv's Dor Segal Albuquerque wrote a positive review, stating that the song was "one of the most beautiful songs this year" and a healing song that was "exactly what we needed after this difficult year".{{Cite web |last=Albuquerque |first=Dor Segal |date=25 March 2025 |title=אירוויזיון 2025: השירים נבחרו, אלה האסים - והסיכוי של ישראל {{!}} דור סגל אלבוקרק |trans-title=Eurovision 2025: The songs have been chosen, these are the aces - and Israel's chance |url=https://www.maariv.co.il/culture/music/article-1182971 |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Maariv |language=he}} Haaretz's Ben Shalev gave a mixed review. He praised some parts of "New Day Will Rise", giving positive remarks to the song's Hebrew parts and final refrain. However, he criticised the song for sounding too similar and generic, writing that it had "too many iconic influences on its shoulders and fails to present an independent musical identity of a beautiful, memorable tune".{{Cite web |last=Shalev |first=Ben |date=11 March 2025 |title=Nova Massacre Survivor's Song May Prove an Unexpected Success at Eurovision |url=https://www.haaretz.com/life/2025-03-11/ty-article/.premium/nova-massacre-survivors-song-may-prove-an-unexpected-success/00000195-84ba-daf4-a9b7-d4fe2dbe0000 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250311193605/https://www.haaretz.com/life/2025-03-11/ty-article/.premium/nova-massacre-survivors-song-may-prove-an-unexpected-success/00000195-84ba-daf4-a9b7-d4fe2dbe0000#selection-301.0-301.75 |archive-date=11 March 2025 |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Haaretz}} Channel 12's Neta Hotar compared the song to a "Maya Bouskilla cover of Celine Dion", describing it as "hollow" and stating that "you can imagine the AI prompt that had to be written to come up with such a chorus, and also the 'add some French, throw in a verse from the Bible and a lot of synonyms for the light' corrections."{{Cite web |last=Hotar |first=Neta |date=13 March 2025 |title=השיר של יובל רפאל הוא עוד סיבה לסיום המלחמה |trans-title=Yuval Raphael's song is another reason to end the war |url=https://www.mako.co.il/culture-tv/local-a-list/Article-86df1f8119e8591026.htm |url-status=live |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=Mako |archive-date=14 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314163608/https://www.mako.co.il/culture-tv/local-a-list/Article-86df1f8119e8591026.htm }} Haaretz's Anat Kamm, in addition to calling the song "mediocre", heavily criticised the appearance of {{Esccnty|Israel|y=2025}} in the contest, describing their participation as an "illusion" and distraction from the country's military operations in the Gaza Strip, stating that "Israel, for its part, did not learn the lesson" of the country's reception at {{ESCYr|2024|3=Eurovision 2024}}.{{Cite web |last=Kamm |first=Anat |date=14 May 2025 |title=As Gaza Burns, Eurovision Becomes Israel's Latest Front |url=https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2025-05-14/ty-article-opinion/.premium/as-gaza-burns-eurovision-becomes-israels-latest-front/00000196-ce26-d0b3-afde-cf26a85a0000 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250514151106/https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2025-05-14/ty-article-opinion/.premium/as-gaza-burns-eurovision-becomes-israels-latest-front/00000196-ce26-d0b3-afde-cf26a85a0000#selection-307.0-307.55 |archive-date=14 May 2025 |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=Haaretz}}

Time Out Israel's Avishai Sela wrote that the song "erased almost every sign of Hebrew music" in hopes of doing well at Eurovision. Despite this, he stated that he had "a big doubt" that the song could win the contest.{{Cite web |last=Sela |first=Avishai |date=10 March 2025 |title=שחר של יום חלש: יובל רפאל גדולה בכמה מספרים על השיר שלה |trans-title=Dawn of a Weak Day: Yuval Rafael is great in several ways about her song |url=https://timeout.co.il/%D7%99%D7%95%D7%91%D7%9C-%D7%A8%D7%A4%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/ |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Time Out Israel |language=he-IL}} Ynet reporter Einav Schiff heavily criticised the song for its similarity to French chansons, stating that "Raphael's voice is worthy of little more than a song at the level of a young talent night in an unpopular brasserie". He also criticised the addition of French within the song. Despite his criticism, he wrote that regardless, the song would do well at Eurovision due to Raphael's background story and Israel's general media attention.{{Cite news |last=Schiff |first=Einav |date=10 March 2025 |title=האם המתחרים היו כה איומים שזהו השיר שבחרנו לאירוויזיון? |trans-title=Were the competitors so terrible that this is the song we chose for Eurovision? |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/bjkqmw3s1x |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2025 |work=Ynet |language=he |archive-date=17 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317113402/https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/bjkqmw3s1x }} Israeli musician {{ill|Ron Bitton|he|רון ביטון}} also criticised the inclusion of French in Maariv but encouraged Jewish people to vote for the song regardless, writing that "unfortunately, we won't win this year, but as I said, our strength is in our unity, so let's hope that the Jewish communities around the world will help place the song high with their votes."{{Cite web |last1=Bitton |first1=Ron |last2=Levin |first2=Mickey |date=13 March 2025 |title=רון ביטון חושף: זו הסיבה שהשיר החדש של יובל רפאל לא יזכה באירוויזיון |trans-title=Ron Biton reveals: This is why Yuval Raphael's new song will not win Eurovision |url=https://tmi.maariv.co.il/celebs-news/article-1179921 |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Maariv |language=he |archive-date=22 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322023532/https://tmi.maariv.co.il/celebs-news/article-1179921 }}

Amongst international media, reception was also mixed. In a Wiwibloggs review containing several reviews from several critics, the song was rated 5.13 out of 10 points,{{Cite web |date=15 April 2025 |title=Wiwi Jury: Israel's Yuval Raphael with "New Day Will Rise" |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/04/15/eurovision-2025-review-israel-yuval-raphael-new-day-will-rise-wiwi-jury/284341/ |access-date=17 May 2025 |website=Wiwibloggs |language=en-US}} earning 31st out of the 37 songs competing in that year's Eurovision in the site's annual ranking that year.{{Cite web |last=Vautrey |first=Jonathan |date=13 April 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025: Reviews and rankings by the Wiwi Jury |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/04/14/eurovision-2025-reviews-and-rankings-by-the-wiwi-jury/284323/ |access-date=14 May 2025 |website=Wiwibloggs |language=en-US}} Jon O'Brien, a writer for Vulture, ranked the song 31st overall, writing that the song was similar to Eden Golan's "Hurricane" and that while he expected the song to receive a high televote score, "there are better entries for the ballad-favoring juries to award their douze points to".{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Jon |date=13 May 2025 |title=Every 2025 Eurovision Entry, Ranked |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/every-2025-eurovision-song-ranked.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250513132313/https://www.vulture.com/article/every-2025-eurovision-song-ranked.html |archive-date=13 May 2025 |access-date=14 May 2025 |website=Vulture |language=en}} Rob Picheta, writer for American outlet CNN, ranked it 20th out of the 26 finalists in Eurovision 2025, stating that it was "weaker" compared to "Hurricane".{{Cite web |last=Picheta |first=Rob |date=16 May 2025 |title=The good, the bad and the raunchy: Every song at Eurovision, ranked from worst to first |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/16/entertainment/eurovision-2025-final-songs-rankings-cmd-intl |url-status=live |access-date=16 May 2025 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=16 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516133131/https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/16/entertainment/eurovision-2025-final-songs-rankings-cmd-intl }} The Times' Ed Potton ranked it 17th out of the 26 finalists, rating the song two out of five stars and describing it as a "bland message of hope... this is nothing we’ve not heard before".{{Cite web |last=Potton |first=Ed |date=16 May 2025 |title=The Eurovision 2025 finalists ranked — from hypnotic to atrocious |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/eurovision-2025-finalists-list-ranked-709v33bck |url-status=live |access-date=17 May 2025 |website=The Times |language=en |archive-date=17 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517023001/https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/eurovision-2025-finalists-list-ranked-709v33bck }} In contrast, ESC Beat's Doron Lahav ranked the song fourth overall, writing that the song "is written beautifully", praising Raphael as a "versatile vocalist" and the lyrics for being "simple, yet effective".{{Cite web |last=Lahav |first=Doron |date=25 April 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025 Song Reviews – Part 6 (Armenia, Georgia, Greece, Israel, and Malta) |url=https://escbeat.com/2025/04/25/eurovision-2025-song-reviews-part-6-armenia-georgia-greece-israel-and-malta/ |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=ESC Beat |language=en-US}}

The Daily Telegraph's Neil McCormick described the song as a "straight up mushily sentimental orchestral ballad" that was "simple and emotional".{{Cite news |last=McCormick |first=Neil |date=18 May 2025 |title=I didn't hear a single song at Eurovision that was genuinely special |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/eurovision-2025-austria-jj-winner-basel-verdict-review/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250518030139/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/eurovision-2025-austria-jj-winner-basel-verdict-review/ |archive-date=18 May 2025 |access-date=18 May 2025 |work=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} Another reporter from The Daily Telegraph, Ed Power, put the song on his top 10 finalists to watch list, writing that it was "an old-fashioned, hair-dry barnstormer".{{cite news |last=Power |first=Ed |date=16 May 2025 |title=From Swedish saunas to suggestive microphones: The 10 Eurovision finalists to watch |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2025/05/16/eurovision-acts-to-watch-at-the-2025-final/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250516102055/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2025/05/16/eurovision-acts-to-watch-at-the-2025-final/ |archive-date=16 May 2025 |access-date=16 May 2025 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}} The BBC's Mark Savage stated that the song was a strong ballad that "sets the bar again".{{Cite web |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=9 May 2025 |title=Magic spells, innuendo and riddles: Your guide to all 37 Eurovision songs |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vg8k4zxk9o |url-status=live |access-date=5 June 2025 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} Yle's Eva Frantz gave the song a 7 out of 10 rating. While she criticised Israel for "us[ing] the allegedly non-political Eurovision as a political platform", she admitted that "the acting may be ugly but the singing is beautiful".{{cite web |last=Frantz |first=Eva |date=5 April 2025 |title=Ranking: Här är alla 37 bidrag i årets Eurovision Song Contest |trans-title=Ranking: Here are all 37 entries in this year's Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://yle.fi/a/7-10074982 |access-date=14 May 2025 |publisher=Yle |lang=sv}} Aftenposten's Robert Hoftun Gjestad rated the song 6 out of 6, stating that the song was the "most poignant ballad of the year" musically, praising the usage of Hebrew in the song's chorus.{{Cite web |last=Gjestad |first=Robert Hoftun |date=17 May 2025 |title=Eurovision-finalen: Må det bli Sverige enda en gang? |trans-title=The Eurovision final: Will it have to be Sweden once again? |url=https://www.aftenposten.no/kultur/i/bmvpEv/anmeldelse-av-de-26-laatene-i-eurovision-finalen |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=29 June 2025 |website=Aftenposten |language=nb}} Anne-Marie David, a past Eurovision representative for {{Esccnty|Luxembourg|y=1973}} and {{Esccnty|France|y=1979}} in {{ESCYr|1973}} and {{ESCYr|1979}} respectively, praised the orchestral composition and story of the song, stating that it was "very beautiful and full of hope".{{Cite web |date=30 March 2025 |title="זה בדיוק מה שאני מצפה משיר": מלכת האירוויזיון צופה ניצחון לישראל |trans-title='This is exactly what I expect from a song': Eurovision queen predicts victory for Israel |url=https://www.maariv.co.il/culture/music/article-1184419 |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Maariv |language=he |archive-date=2 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250402174635/https://www.maariv.co.il/culture/music/article-1184419 }} Multiple prominent Jewish people, including Scooter Braun and Gal Gadot, gave positive public remarks to both Raphael and the song.{{Cite news |last=Hayut |first=Aya |date=10 March 2025 |title="הוריקן 2.0"; "שיר מעורר השראה": העולם מגיב ליובל רפאל ולשיר שלה לאירוויזיון |trans-title='Hurricane 2.0'; 'Inspiring Song': The World Reacts to Yuval Rafael and Her Eurovision Song |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/ry536xnsye |access-date=18 May 2025 |work=Ynet |language=he}}{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Hannah |date=17 May 2025 |title=Gal Gadot encourages Yuval Raphael before the Eurovision final |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-854332 |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=17 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517235100/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-854332 }}

{{Main|Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025}}

Israel's broadcaster for the Eurovision Song Contest, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC/Kan), utilized {{lang|he-latn|HaKokhav HaBa}}, a reality singing competition, to select their singer for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.{{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 |archive-date=12 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112203615/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/ |url-status=live }} At the end of the competition, Yuval Raphael emerged victorious on 22 January 2025, winning the right to represent Israel in the contest.{{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 |archive-date=26 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226131042/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/ |url-status=live }} The songwriting process for the broadcaster's entry had started three weeks earlier, with an internal committee headed by {{ill|Barak Itzkovitch|he|ברק איצקוביץ'}} (director of Kan's music stations) listening to 54 submissions.{{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 |archive-date=14 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214224520/https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/yokra14254330 |url-status=live }}

Initially, Raphael requested to the professional committee to send a song written by Peles to Eurovision. Peles' song was chosen by the committee; however, in the immediate aftermath, a group of "more than 20 songwriters" filed a complaint to Kan, writing that the selection was a conflict of interest due to Peles being a judge on {{lang|he-latn|HaKokhav HaBa}}.{{Cite news |last=Boker |first=Ran |date=9 February 2025 |title=Israeli musicians protest Eurovision song selection, alleging conflict of interest |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/skeso0sf1l |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2025 |work=Ynet |language=en |archive-date=21 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321080824/https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/skeso0sf1l }} Following threats to file a case to the Supreme Court of Israel, the complaint was dropped after Kan promised to reexamine its selection procedures for {{Eurovision Song Contest year|2026}}.{{Cite news |last=Boker |first=Ran |date=5 March 2025 |title=סוף לסאגת השיר לאירוויזיון: היוצרים לא יגישו בג"ץ - התאגיד יבחן הצעות ייעול לשנה הבאה |trans-title=End to Eurovision song saga: Creators will not file with High Court - Corporation will examine efficiency proposals for next year |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/bjl2sksoye |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2025 |work=Ynet |language=he |archive-date=9 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509151520/https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/bjl2sksoye }}

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 took place at the St. Jakobshalle 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. During the allocation draw on 28 January 2025, Israel was drawn to compete in the second semi-final, performing in the second half of the show.{{Cite web |date=28 January 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025: Semi-Final Draw Results |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2025-semi-final-draw-results |url-status=live |access-date=17 May 2025 |website=Eurovision Song Contest |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |language=en |archive-date=28 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128120331/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2025-semi-final-draw-results }} Raphael was later drawn to perform 14th in the semi-final, after {{Esccnty|Luxembourg|y=2025}}'s Laura Thorn and behind {{Esccnty|Serbia|y=2025}}'s Princ.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=William Lee |date=27 March 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025: Semi-Final running order revealed...with Cyprus and Finland closing their shows |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/03/27/eurovision-2025-semi-final-running-order-reveal/284196/ |access-date=17 May 2025 |website=Wiwibloggs |language=en-US}}

File:Herzl on a balcony 1901.jpg figure Theodor Herzl looking over a balcony in Basel (above).|alt=Refer to caption]]

For its Eurovision performance, Shai Bondar, Yuval Cohen, and {{ill|Yoav Tzafir|he|יואב צפיר}} were appointed as the artistic directors.{{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 performance featured Raphael by herself in a black dress with "square shoulders and dramatic flamenco sleeves"{{Cite web |last=Stollero |first=Nathan |date=6 May 2025 |title="כולם בחדר הבקרה בכו, אפילו השווייצרים": יואב צפיר על החזרה הראשונה באירוויזיון |trans-title='Everyone in the control room cried, even the Swiss': Yoav Tzafir on the first rehearsal at Eurovision |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/culture/music/article/17902504 |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=Israel Hayom |language=he |archive-date=13 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513064752/https://www.israelhayom.co.il/culture/music/article/17902504 }} designed by {{ill|Victor Bellaish|he|ויקטור בלאיש}}.{{Cite web |last=Dahan |first=Tal |date=31 March 2025 |title=ויוי בלאיש ייעצב את תלבושתה של יובל רפאל לאירוויזיון 2025 |trans-title=Vivi Bleish will design Yuval Raphael's outfit for Eurovision 2025 |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2025/03/31/%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%94%D7%95-%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%A6%D7%91-%D7%94%D7%90%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%A0%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%A8-%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%A2%D7%A6%D7%91-%D7%90%D7%AA-%D7%AA%D7%9C%D7%91%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%AA/ |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}} A {{convert|5.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} chandelier staircase prop is featured predominantly throughout the performance, with Raphael climbing it and singing on top of the staircase midway through the performance. The staircase was used by ESC Beat writer Doron Lahav to make "Yuval look like a bird in a cage".{{Cite web |last=Lahav |first=Doron |date=14 May 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025 Semi-Final 2 Dress Rehearsals Live Commentary |url=https://escbeat.com/2025/05/14/eurovision-2025-semi-final-2-dress-rehearsals-live-commentary/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=ESC Beat |language=en-US |archive-date=14 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514212330/https://escbeat.com/2025/05/14/eurovision-2025-semi-final-2-dress-rehearsals-live-commentary/ }} According to The Times of Israel, the staircase is inspired by a 1901 photo of Theodor Herzl, one of the key founders of modern Zionism, overlooking the Rhine from a hotel balcony in Basel.{{cite news |last=Spiro |first=Amy |date=May 7, 2024 |title=Eurovision offers peek at Israel's Herzl-inspired set |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/eurovision-offers-peek-at-israels-herzl-inspired-set/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=The Times of Israel |archive-date=16 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516071446/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/eurovision-offers-peek-at-israels-herzl-inspired-set/ }} During the climax of the song, pyrotechnics shoot down.{{Cite web |last=Solo |first=Guy |date=9 May 2025 |title=אירוויזיון 2025: כל הפרטים על החזרה השנייה של יובל רפאל! |trans-title=Eurovision 2025: All the details about Yuval Raphael's second comeback! |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2025/05/09/%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9F-2025-%D7%9B%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%98%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%A2%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%97%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%99%D7%94/ |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}} In preparation for her performances, Raphael performed rehearsals with a booing machine in preparation for a possible negative reception by the arena audience.{{Cite web |last1=Dalal |first1=Yossi |last2=Swissa |first2=Eran |date=9 March 2025 |title=נחשף השיר לאירוויזיון: "יש לנו מכונת בוזים" |trans-title=Eurovision song revealed: "We have a booing machine" |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/forreal/localy/article/17509528 |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=Israel Hayom |language=he |archive-date=6 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406013937/https://www.israelhayom.co.il/forreal/localy/article/17509528 }}{{Cite web |last=Manning |first=Lucy |date=13 May 2025 |title=Yuval Raphael: Israel's Eurovision entry says she has practised being booed |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp92zjejzvyo |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=BBC |language=en-GB |archive-date=18 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518022945/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp92zjejzvyo }} "New Day Will Rise" secured a position in the final, finishing first and receiving 203 points; 73 more than runner-up Tautumeitas' "Bur man laimi" from {{Esccnty|Latvia|y=2025}}.{{Cite news |last1=Boker |first1=Ran |last2=Shecknik |first2=Raz |date=15 May 2025 |title=Yuval Raphael advances to Eurovision finals after performance amid protests and tension |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/r1wlwc7zxg |url-status=live |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Ynet |language=en |archive-date=17 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517161022/https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/r1wlwc7zxg }}{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=William Lee |date=18 May 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025 Semi-Final results: Ukraine and Israel won their shows |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/05/18/eurovision-2025-semi-final-results-ukraine-and-israel-won-their-shows/284933/ |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Wiwibloggs |language=en-US}}

File:Yuval Raphael at ESC2025 for Israel 22.jpg

Raphael performed a repeat performance in the final on 17 May. The song performed in fourth, after {{Esccnty|Estonia|y=2025}}'s Tommy Cash and before {{Esccnty|Lithuania|y=2025}}'s Katarsis.{{Cite web |date=16 May 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025: Running order for the Grand Final |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/eurovision-2025-running-order-for-the-grand-final |url-status=live |access-date=16 May 2025 |website=Eurovision World |language=en-gb |archive-date=16 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516004245/https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/eurovision-2025-running-order-for-the-grand-final }} At the end of her performance, she proclaimed, "Thank you Europe, Am Yisrael Chai."{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Eliana |date=17 May 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025 Israel results: Yuval Raphael comes second in thrilling finale |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/world/israel-comes-second-in-eurovision-and-wins-public-vote-h6mvvphl |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Jewish Chronicle |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518003145/https://www.thejc.com/news/world/israel-comes-second-in-eurovision-and-wins-public-vote-h6mvvphl }} During the performance, a Dutch couple with paint attempted to storm the stage near the end of the performance; however, they were stopped before they could get on stage.{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Eliana |date=17 May 2025 |title=Israel Eurovision: Protestors try to storm stage during Israel's performance by Yuval Raphael |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/world/man-attempts-to-storm-eurovision-stage-during-israels-performance-we49uhwe |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Jewish Chronicle |language=en |archive-date=20 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250520030439/https://www.thejc.com/news/world/man-attempts-to-storm-eurovision-stage-during-israels-performance-we49uhwe }}{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=17 May 2025 |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 |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=17 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517233010/https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/eurovision/israel-eurovision-2025-final-performance-voting-odds-b2753035.html }}{{Cite web |last=Cooper-Fiske |first=Casey |date=17 May 2025 |title=Eurovision crew member hit with paint as pair try to disrupt Israel performance |url=https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-news/eurovision-crew-member-hit-with-paint-as-pair-try-to-disrupt-israel-performance/a237039711.html |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}} The performance received mixed reactions amongst various outlets. Time Out Israel's Avishai Sela proclaimed the performance as "a spectacular human victory of love over hate... [The performance] turned out to be one that touched an entire continent, and especially the European audience that rushed to vote in droves."{{Cite web |last=Sela |first=Avishai |date=18 May 2025 |title=מצמררת: יובל רפאל הציגה ניצחון אנושי מרהיב של האהבה על השנאה |trans-title=Chilling: Yuval Rafael presented a spectacular human triumph of love over hate |url=https://timeout.co.il/%D7%92%D7%9E%D7%A8-%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9F-2025/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Time Out Israel |language=he-IL |archive-date=18 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518063401/https://timeout.co.il/%D7%92%D7%9E%D7%A8-%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9F-2025/ }} The Independent's Mark Beaumont criticised the performance for the staircase prop used, writing, "to sing it on an opulent, crystal-drenched staircase while our newsfeeds are full of emaciated Palestinian children in bombed-out homes still feels like a provocative move. 'New day will rise', great. But for everyone?"{{Cite web |last=Beaumont |first=Mark |date=17 May 2025 |title=At Eurovision, politics once more intrudes upon this formerly big fun pop lark |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/eurovision/eurovision-2025-review-uk-israel-austria-b2753000.html |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518022814/https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/eurovision/eurovision-2025-review-uk-israel-austria-b2753000.html }}

Raphael ultimately finished in second place with 357 points, placing runner-up to JJ's "Wasted Love" from {{Esccnty|Austria|y=2025}}. She achieved a split score of 60 jury points and 297 televoting points.{{Cite news |last1=Boker |first1=Ran |last2=Shechnik |first2=Raz |date=18 May 2025 |title=Israel's Yuval Raphael clinches second place at Eurovision final in Basel |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/rjhpxauzxe |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2025 |work=Ynet |language=en |archive-date=19 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250519110734/https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/rjhpxauzxe }} Regarding the televote, the amount was the most received out of any finalist.{{Cite web |date=17 May 2025 |title=Austria's JJ wins Eurovision 2025 with "Wasted Love" |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/05/17/eurovision-song-contest-2025-grand-final-results/284912/ |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Wiwibloggs |language=en-US}} In the juries, the song received one set of the maximum 12 points from {{Esccnty|Azerbaijan|y=2025}}. In the televote, it received 13 sets of 12 points.{{Cite web |title=Grand Final of Basel 2025 - Israel Grand Final Results Allocation |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/basel-2025/grand-final/results/israel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518013459/https://eurovision.tv/event/basel-2025/grand-final/results/israel |archive-date=18 May 2025 |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=Eurovision Song Contest |publisher=European Broadcasting Union }} In response to her result, Raphael stated to Israeli media that "I feel like we've won life. I can’t explain to you the level of my excitement." She later added that "all I wanted was to bring honor and pride to the country and give a second of peace. We won't have a real victory until our hostages are home. Amen, Amen, Amen."{{Cite web |date=18 May 2025 |title=Yuval Raphael: 'There will be no real victory without the hostages' |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-854358 |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518021515/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-854358 }} Israeli president Isaac Herzog stated in a conversation with Raphael after the contest that her performance was "tremendous. It was perfect – exceptional. I was so moved. You are truly a daughter of Israel for all of us, breaking through the highest ceiling in the world".{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Hannah |date=18 May 2025 |title='Am Yisrael Chai!': Yuval Raphael triumphs with second-place Eurovision finish |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-854356 |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=20 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250520025547/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-854356 }}

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