In a deeply moving encounter that underscored both personal strength and national unity, President Isaac Herzog met on Monday with Israel’s 2025 Eurovision representative, Yuval Raphael, ahead of her departure to Basel, Switzerland, where the international music competition will be held from May 13 to 17.

Raphael, 24, from Ra’anana, is not only a gifted vocalist — she is a living testament to survival, courage, and resilience. A survivor of the horrific October 7 Hamas-led massacre at the Nova Music Festival, Raphael endured hours of terror while hiding inside a fortified mobile shelter as gunmen slaughtered hundreds around her.

Standing in the President’s Residence, she now prepares to carry a very different message to the world — one of hope, revival, and the enduring soul of the Israeli people.

Yuval Raphael a minute before boarding to Basel to represent Israel in Eurovision 2025 :
“ I’m happy to represent Israel and I hope to bring a lot of joy and respect to the country. Hopefully when I’m back all the hostages will be home . I love you all . Thank you 🩷🫶🏼 pic.twitter.com/JTsmFCuc7a

— Iris (@streetwize) May 5, 2025

“You have a wonderful personality, your story is incredible, and every time I hear the song, my heart swells with pride,” President Herzog told Raphael. “When you step on that stage, remember that you will be in the hearts of every Israeli home, of the entire Jewish people in the Diaspora, and especially in the hearts of the pure and grieving families of the Nova tragedy — of that horrific massacre.”

Herzog’s words struck a chord not only with Raphael but with the broader Israeli public, for whom this year’s Eurovision performance holds far more weight than a song contest.

Raphael will perform the song “New Day Will Rise,” a stirring anthem written by renowned Israeli songwriter Keren Peles. The track blends emotional vulnerability with fierce hope — a reflection of the nation’s pain, perseverance, and yearning for a brighter future.

🎤 Encouragez-la et partagez !
Yuval Raphael embarque depuis l’aéroport Ben Gourion pour une aventure hors du commun : l’Eurovision.
Survivante de l’attaque de Nova, elle incarne la résilience, le courage et la lumière.
Une force de la nature, une voix qui porte bien plus que des… pic.twitter.com/2LIwMByt3d

— Israël en français (@IsraelenFR) May 5, 2025

“On the one hand, I’m going as someone who wants to win and is doing everything with that goal,” Raphael said before boarding her flight. “But on the other hand, I can’t help but feel that just being there is already a victory. I have the privilege to do this — not just for myself, but for all the people whose voices were silenced.”

Her presence on the Eurovision stage will mark not just a personal milestone, but a symbolic act of national healing and defiance. At a time when Israel continues to grapple with the trauma of October 7 and an ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza, Raphael’s performance will offer a moment of unity, strength, and light in the global spotlight.