Raphael endured a harrowing ordeal by hiding under the bodies of the deceased in a nearby bomb shelter, as reported by the Times of Israel.
During the Rising Star final, she shared how music has been a vital part of her recovery process. In another interview, Raphael stated her intention to use her Eurovision performance as a platform to share her story and the experiences of her fellow citizens. However, she emphasized that her message is not meant to seek pity.
“I want to come from a place of resilience,” she clarified, acknowledging the likelihood of facing jeers from the crowd. “I’m 100 percent sure boos will come, but that doesn’t deter me.”
Eurovision has faced significant controversy in recent years. Last year’s edition saw protests over Israel’s participation amidst the worsening humanitarian crisis and rising death toll in Gaza, where Israeli military operations targeted Hamas militants.
The Israeli representative for Eurovision 2024, Eden Golan, was even instructed by organizers to rename her song, October Rain. The original title referenced the October 7 attack—contravening Eurovision’s rules against political messaging.
This year’s competition will be hosted by Switzerland in Basel, following the country’s victory last year. A total of 37 countries will participate in the annual event.













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