Eurovision

No. 48: Yuval Raphael, Debra Messing, Idan Amedi: Celebrity voices committed to Israel

These three sparkled brightly on stage and on screen this year, and their achievements filled Jews around the world with pride. 

(L-R): Idan Amedi, Debra Messing, Yuval Raphael
Eurovision 2026 logo

Austria’s deputy FM urges EBU not to yield to Eurovision boycott 'blackmail'

Israel's president Isaac Herzog at the opening ceremony of the new Knesset museum, in Jerusalem on August 11, 2025.

Herzog: Isolating Israel plays into interests of extremists seeking to 'destabilize the free world'

 IDF soldiers seen in the aftermath of Hamas's Nova music festival massacre in Re'im, southern Israel, on October 7, 2023.

The day music fell silent: Coldplay, Eurovision, and the neglect of Jewish grief - opinion


Netherlands to not join Eurovision if Israel participates, says broadcaster

The European Broadcasting Union which organizes the event said on Thursday it understood the "concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East."

Eurovision 2026 logo

Ireland to skip Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates, Irish broadcaster says

The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes and produces the event, said it understood the "concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East."

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, attends the second semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 15, 2025

Eurovision star Yuval Raphael to perform at Sukkot concert

She will sing her Eurovision song, “New Day Will Rise,” which won the audience voting at the contest. She will also perform several of the songs she sang on The Next Star.

Eurovision star Yuval Raphael, who came in second in the competition.

EBU decides not to vote on expelling Israel from Eurovision – for now

The Eurovision Fun website reported that the issue of Israeli participation has been tabled until the EBU meets again in the winter.

 YUVAL RAPHAEL and  Elphaba in ‘Wicked.’ Kindred spirits.

Israeli artists should compete in Eurovision under a neutral flag, Icelandic official suggests

The EBU will discuss a call from Iceland’s public broadcaster to ban Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest in its upcoming meeting of the EBU General Assembly in London.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, attends the second semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 15, 2025

Will EBU kick Israel out of Eurovision?

Calls to ban Israel came recently from Eurovision contestants from this year and previous years.

 A person holds a flag during the Grand Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo, Sweden, May 12, 2024.

Iceland to call for EBU to ban Israel at London meeting in July

The EBU will discuss a call from Iceland’s public broadcaster to ban Israel from Eurovision in its upcoming meeting of the EBU General Assembly in London.

 A person holds a flag during the Grand Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo, Sweden, May 12, 2024.

Iran angered by Israel’s Eurovision success - opinion

The Iranian regime was enraged by Azerbaijan’s “douze points” to Israel.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, performs "New Day Will Rise," during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025

Yuval Raphael's Eurovision rise echoes Elphaba's defiance in Wicked - opinion

Yuval Raphael defied gravity May 17 in much the same motif the fictional character, Elphaba in Wicked, has been defying gravity since 2003.

 YUVAL RAPHAEL and  Elphaba in ‘Wicked.’ Kindred spirits.

My Word: Yuval Raphael shines at Eurovision despite international political clashes

Israel's Yuval Raphael carried her head high in a show of grace and strength at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel.

 YUVAL RAPHAEL, enveloped by an Israeli flag at the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, was also enveloped by the Israeli people.

Yuval Raphael performs 'New Day will Rise' for hostage families at Hostages Square

Raphael recently recounted how she saw friends in the audience who hid with her from Hamas terrorists in a shelter on October 7, after her successful semi-final performance in Basel, Switzerland.

 Yuval Raphael performing at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, May 2025.