Raphael won the talent show “Hakochav haba” on Wednesday night and is thus ready for the ESC which takes place in Basel in May. Which song she will perform will be decided by Israel’s public service company Kan at a later time in the spring.
Raphael is one of the survivors of the Hamas attack on the Israeli music festival Nova on October 7, 2023, when 370 people were killed. She has since traveled the world to tell about her experiences, and wants to do so in ESC as well.
– I want to tell the story of my country, of what I and others had to go through. I want to tell, but not by seeking pity. I want to stand strong through the calls I am one hundred percent sure will come, she said in “Hakochav haba” according to The Times of Israel.
Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest has been debated since the war in Gaza began and last year’s competition was marked by protests against the country’s participation.