Yuval Raphael, Israel's representative to the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, took time ahead of the semi-finals to talk to reporters from outlets around the world and share with them her journey from her near-death experience during the Hamas October 7 massacre, to one of Europe's most important musical stages.
Raphael, who was at the Nova music festival during the massacre, hid from the murderous Hamas terrorists under the bodies of dead revelers for hours before she was rescued.
After repeated requests, the singer and her team agreed to sit down with BBC's Lucy Manning, who also interviewed Emily Damari, the released British hostage, hoping she would prove more attentive to Raphael's account of her horrific experience. "This feels like a personal triumph," Raphael told Manning.
The British broadcaster avoided using the terms murder or terrorism when referring to the massacre at Nova. She challenged Raphael, asking whether she thought it was a legitimate position to demand Israel not be a part of the contest. The young Israeli said that there were different opinions, but she was proud to be a representative of her country.
Yuval Raphael in an interview with ItalianTG1
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Swiss and Italian outlets were more explicit in their condemnation of the atrocities committed by Hamas at Nova. They also highlighted the threats from Palestinian protesters, including one who gestured toward the young singer as if he would cut her throat.
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Palestinian protester makes threatening gesture during the Eurovision Song Contest events
(Screenshot)
Raphael also dedicated time to speak to popular Jewish outlets to tell her story and encourage their readers to vote during the competition.