The second-place finisher at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Yuval Raphael, began her professional singing career in 2024. Before gaining international recognition for her performance of the multilingual pop ballad New Day Will Rise, she served as a checkpoint combat soldier in the Jerusalem area with the Military Police Corps of the Israel Defense Forces.
Early Life and Background
Born in Tel Aviv on 5 November 2000, Raphael spent time living in Pedaya and Ra'anana. Her childhood included a three-year period residing in Geneva, Switzerland. During her academic years, she focused on theater and Arabic studies. Her musical influences during her youth included Beyoncé, Céline Dion, Led Zeppelin, and the Scorpions. She is the daughter of Liat and Zvika Raphael and is the niece of businessperson Ronit Raphael.
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Raphael served in the Israel Defense Forces before the onset of her professional music career. On 7 October 2023, she attended the Supernova Sukkot Gathering near Re'im. When Hamas militants attacked the festival, she sought refuge in a death shelter near Be'eri. She survived the event after hiding under deceased individuals for eight hours, sustaining shrapnel injuries from grenades thrown into the structure. She later recounted this experience in a speech delivered to the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2024.
Competition and Eurovision
Raphael auditioned for the eleventh season of HaKokhav HaBa in November 2024, earning a score of 98% for her performance of Anyone. In the final held on 22 January 2025, she performed Writing's on the Wall and Dancing Queen. Her selection led to her participation in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest with the song New Day Will Rise. Produced by Tomer Biran and written by Keren Peles, the track incorporates English, French, and Hebrew lyrics alongside verses from the Song of Songs. She achieved second place in the final with 357 total points.
Musical Projects and Appearances
Following Eurovision, Raphael released the single Amber Skies in October 2025 for the HBO Max series One Day in October. This preceded the launch of her debut EP, 22:22, a project she stated explores themes of spiritual balance and recovery. Her subsequent public appearances include a performance at the 2026 Tel Aviv Pride festival and the opening ceremony of the 2026 Maccabiah Games.
Fast facts
- Born: 5 November 2000, Tel Aviv
- Military service: Checkpoint combat soldier, Military Police Corps
- Eurovision 2025 placement: Second place
- Debut EP: 22:22, released 19 October 2025
- Languages spoken: Hebrew, English, French
- Current residence: Ra'anana
Questions readers ask
What song did Yuval Raphael perform at Eurovision 2025?
She performed New Day Will Rise, an orchestral pop ballad featuring lyrics in English, French, and Hebrew.
Did Yuval Raphael survive the Nova music festival massacre?
Yes, she survived by hiding in a shelter near Be'eri for eight hours after sustaining shrapnel injuries.
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