The Real Story Behind Eurovision 2025: Why Yuval Raphael's Victory Wasn't Rigged – It Was Earned

When Israeli singer Yuval Raphael took the stage at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, she wasn’t just performing a song — she was standing tall as a survivor of terror, an artist, and a proud representative of a nation too often unfairly singled out. Yet once again, anti-Israel voices tried to silence her — not with music, but with accusations, protests, and political pressure.

Now, Spain’s RTVE and Belgium’s VRT have demanded an “investigation” into the public voting system. Why? Because Israel won the public vote by a landslide, and finished second overall. Somehow, in their view, the public’s overwhelming support for an Israeli artist must be a sign of foul play. But let’s be very clear:

This was not vote-rigging. This was people power.

🎤 The Numbers Speak for Themselves

Yuval Raphael’s performance earned 357 points, a massive showing largely thanks to public votes. Her song "New Day Will Rise," sung in Hebrew, English, and French, resonated deeply with millions of viewers — despite relentless efforts to politicize her presence and hijack the stage.

In fact, even countries whose juries gave her zero points (Spain and Belgium) had publics that awarded Israel the maximum 12 points. That is not manipulation. That is democracy in action. People chose to support a song and an artist that moved them.

🛑 Double Standards and Dangerous Precedents

The criticism is not about voting mechanics — it’s about Israel’s mere participation. Let’s not pretend otherwise.

• Pro-Palestinian demonstrators booed and tried to storm the stage as Yuval sang — a horrifying breach of both decorum and safety.

• A black screen denouncing Israel was broadcast for 16 seconds by RTVE during the live show — an unprecedented politicization of what is supposed to be an apolitical, cultural event.

• Over 4,000 artists from Nordic countries called to boycott Israel’s presence, accusing it of “whitewashing.” But when did it become acceptable to boycott an artist for the country of their birth?

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🇮🇱 Israel Is Held to a Different Standard

Other countries — including those involved in armed conflicts — have participated in Eurovision without such scrutiny or protest. Yet Israel, a democratic nation defending itself from terrorism, is singled out again and again.

Where were the protests when Iran murdered women for not wearing hijabs? Where were the blackout screens for Russian performers in previous years? The silence is telling.

Yuval Raphael didn’t ask for this fight. She came to sing. But as someone who survived the October 7 Hamas massacre at the Nova music festival, she represented the spirit of resilience, creativity, and peace. Her song wasn't propaganda. It was a tribute to hope.

📢 Let the Artists Sing

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has confirmed that the voting system is the most advanced in the world, monitored by independent compliance experts. There has been no evidence of any irregularities — only disappointment from those whose politics don't align with the people's choice.

We must protect cultural platforms like Eurovision from becoming political battlegrounds. Otherwise, we risk silencing the very voices that can bridge divides and inspire unity.

Yuval Raphael deserved every vote she received. And Israel — like every other nation — deserves the right to sing.

If peace is the goal, then music must remain the path. Don’t punish artists for the politics of others. Celebrate their courage, their message, and their art.