Lucy Manning
Special correspondent
Report from Beisel, Switzerland
Yuval Rafael had no dream of her being in Eurovision.
The last major musical event she attended was at the Nova Festival in Israel, where she was almost killed. On October 7, 2023, the singer fled the festival when Hamas gunmen began shooting.
Currently, she is preparing to take the stage at the world’s largest musical event.
“That’s something I handle every day,” she told the BBC. “Just having this experience, representing my country and doing it with such pride, it feels like a personal victory.”
That day – a year and a half ago – Ms. Raphael was attending her first outdoor rave. She tried to escape from the massacre when a rocket was fired from Gaza at Israel and Hamas gunmen began shooting in a revelry.
She and her friends took shelter to a concrete bomb shelter on the side of the road. About 50 people were packed and lay on top of each other.
However, the gunman was repeatedly shot at the shelter’s body mass and threw G-shots, so he never escaped.
Ms. Raphael managed to inspire her father in tears, as she heard in a recording performed in an Israeli documentary. “Dad, a lot of people are dead. Send the police here. Dad, send the police, that’s urgent. They’re crushing me,” she said.
“Silent,” he replied. “My daughter is Yubari. Yubari, breathe deeply. Please hide. Die and play.”
“Goodbye,” she said.
Ms. Raphael was one of only 11 people in the shelter to survive. She hid under a pile of bodies for eight hours before being rescued.
About 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage that day by Hamas-led gunmen.
We danced with joy and hid among the dead – Nova survivors remember the Hamas massacre
Ms. Raphael’s professional singing career began after the attack. “I wanted to be happy myself and really understand the gift I was given, and it’s about living,” she says. “To have more experiences, be happy and live perfectly.”
On Thursday, the 24-year-old sings her song, “New Day Rises.”
The rules of the European Broadcasting Union, which are responsible for Eurovision, mean that political statements cannot be issued. The singer does not explain what happened to her at Nova during preparations for the competition. She previously testified to the United Nations about her experiences.
Israeli participants had to challenge protests about participating in the country’s song contest.
Ireland’s national broadcaster RTé has asked the EBU to discuss Israel’s inclusion. The director, Kevin Bakhurst, said he was “admitted by the ongoing events in the Middle East and the horrific effects on Gaza’s civilians and the fate of Israeli hostages.” Spain and Slovenian broadcasters also called for discussion.
Last week, more than 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a letter calling on organizers to ban Israel from the competition.
More than 52,800 people have been killed in Gaza since the October 7 attack, including 2,700 since the Israeli attack resumed, according to the Ministry of Health of the Territories.
For the past few years, other countries have been banned from contests. Belarus was suspended in 2021 after submitting an obvious political entry, and a year later Russia was banned in the war in Ukraine.
Ms. Raphael expects a boo from the BBC but says, “We’re here to sing.”
Rafael said her country is trying to avoid dealing with people who say they shouldn’t compete. “Everyone has an opinion,” she said. “I’m really putting everything aside and focusing on what’s most important. This year’s slogan is “united by music,” and that’s what we’re here. ”
Although Eurovision said it understands concerns and views about the current situation in the Middle East, it argued that it should ensure that Eurovision remains “a universal event that promotes connection, diversity and inclusion through music.”
Nevertheless, Israeli fans have been warned by their national security council to not wear Jews or Israeli symbols while participating in Eurovision.
On Sunday, during the Eurovision opening parade in the Swiss host city of Basel, an Israeli delegation filed a complaint with the police and the EBU after accusing Palestinian pro-protestors of making a throat slitting gesture and spewing at the delegation.
“It was scary and uncomfortable at times, but I continue to remind you why I am here and why my agenda spreads as much love as possible and brings pride to my country,” Rafael said.
Last year, Israeli singer Eden Golan said she was threatened with death, but was booed when she sang. “I think I’m expecting that,” Ms. Rafael admitted when asked if she was expecting too much boo. “But we’re here to sing. I’m going to sing my heart for everyone.”
She said she rehearsed some sound in the background, so she could practice by distracting. When asked if it was upset, she told the BBC there were many feelings she was putting aside to keep her focused.
“I really think I have a lot of weight on my shoulders. I have a huge responsibility. I have a lot of people who are hoping for something from the house.”
