Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7, 2023 attack, has been selected to represent Israel at this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
The amateur singer recounted how she managed to survive by hiding under dead bodies in a bomb shelter for eight hours while attending the event with friends.
Through her participation on the Israeli talent show HaKokhav HaBa (The Next Star), she has been sharing her story. Winning the show secured her a spot to compete at Eurovision in Basel, Switzerland, in May.
Reflecting on her victory, Raphael expressed her excitement and readiness, stating, I can't explain how excited and ready I am! Thank you for giving me this huge honor and trusting me to represent my country on the grand Eurovision stage in Switzerland.
Despite still carrying shrapnel from the attack in her head and leg, Raphael only ventured into professional singing last year.
In the finale of the music competition, she performed a rendition of ABBA's Dancing Queen, dedicating it to "all the angels" who perished during the festival. She also emphasized the healing power of music during her appearances on the show.
Fluent in English, French, and Hebrew, Raphael has engaged in advocacy for Israel over the past year, sharing her survival story at the UN Human Rights Council.
The previous year's The Next Star winner, Eden Golan, represented Israel at Eurovision with the song Hurricane, securing a fifth-place finish.
Israel's participation in Eurovision after the recent conflict in the Middle East sparked criticism. Despite campaigns to prevent Israel from competing, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) permitted their participation.
Tragically, the attack resulted in the loss of about 1,200 lives and 251 individuals being taken hostage. In response, the IDF initiated an air and ground campaign in Gaza, leading to casualties, as reported by the territory's health ministry.