After navigating a pre-Eurovision controversy over this year's Israeli entry "New Day Will Rise", which she wrote and composed for singer Yuval Raphael, Keren Peles now finds herself preparing to join the Israeli delegation already in Basel under a cloud of hostility. Yet, she remains focused and hopeful.
“I think there has never been such a widespread backlash against Israel at Eurovision,” Peles told Ynet Monday just before her flight to Switzerland. “I’m not sure the aggression will match what we faced in Malmö in 2024, but the scale of anti-Israel activity has grown. It’s unbelievable. I think we have fewer supporters and more loud opponents—like last year’s winner Nemo, who was actually very nice to me in person.”
“But on camera, it’s a different story,” she added. “I wasn’t really surprised. We knew what was going on in Malmö beyond the smiles in our selfies. So many voices openly oppose our presence at the competition, even our very participation. That alone places us at a disadvantage before we even talk about the odds of winning.”
Still, Peles insists that the Israeli team is blocking out the noise. “We don’t focus on petitions or betting odds. Our only focus is Yuval and giving her everything she needs to go on stage strong, prepared and powerful.”
Is she already there?
“Absolutely. Even before we began working together, I saw her potential—and she keeps getting better. She’s a phenomenon, in the best way. We’ve had countless sessions, rehearsals at my home under tough conditions, and I’ve watched every run-through from Basel. She’s consistent, improving, and growing stronger. We can’t change the world, but we can strengthen ourselves and clarify our message.”
What is that message?
“To place the beautiful, beating Israeli heart at the center—represented by Yuval. The more they try to bring her down, the stronger she rises. This year is different. I couldn’t be prouder to accompany this representative in this moment, to remind the world who we are.”
Yuval Raphael rehearses in Basel
(Video: Courtesy of EBU)
Peles emphasized that Yuval hasn’t forgotten the hostages still held in Gaza: “We came this year to bring a new dawn. And for that sunrise to come, we must bring the sun—each of our brothers and sisters in captivity is a sun. That issue remains in the background, always. We came to give the world a voice of hope, of renewal and light.”
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“This is the voice of the next generation. A generation that has known the deepest pain," Peles said. "Yuval represents that, in the most heartbreaking way—rising from the rubble, literally and metaphorically. She’s building a tower toward the light for herself and for all of us. There’s even a tower on stage, with stairs, like Herzl’s balcony. The vision is that nothing is impossible if we will it.”
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Palestinian flags wave as Eurovision contestants pass in Basel
(Photo: Stefan Wermuth / AFP)
The excitement is palpable. “I’m restless—I just want to be there already. I’m with them constantly, even from afar. We’re going to put on a performance so powerful that even those who want to hate us won’t be able to. That’s the power of music. And we’re in a music arena—we have a right to be there, to generate positivity and hope. To melt the ice that’s been built up by propaganda, by trolls, and by a very wounded reality.”
And at the center of it all is a survivor of the Nova massacre. “The most important thing for me is that Yuval walks away with a good experience. She’s been through so much. She’s amazing, and she deserves to feel like a winner—because she already is one. She’s overcome the worst enemies. It’s a privilege to have her represent our country.”