Israel ISRAEL 2025 - Yuval Raphael - New Day Will Rise

[ESC United Mod Team]

 

[MopManMoss]

I never really take issue with moderation on this forum but Eurovision is inherently political being something involving various nation states, we should be able to discuss politics on how they impact song selections/the songs themselves/ how politics will effect results in the contest without issue.

I understand the need for conversation to be civil and that political discussion can be heated and conflict centred but this policy is a rare source of disappointment i have with the forum

Israel was going to withdraw last year after October Rain was rejected until the President intervened with the broadcaster, like it or not politics cannot be avoided with this contest nor should our discussions about it

 

[StephenMuckle]

Is it a healing process or something that's likely to trigger ptsd, I'm actually quite concerned for her mental health going to eurovision with a song that can so clearly be interpreted as her personal story with all the context that brings in front of what will be a largely hostile crowd.

And yet the song sounds like it's been written either by AI or at a songwriting camp. You could have slapped it on anyone. It's not much different to Bigger Than Us, Storms or We are One.

 

[seriouslyscratchy1]

I think that next year - Israel will have to withdraw otherwise then the same reasons of why they didn't allow Russia in will take place

 

[HarryUK]

I never really take issue with moderation on this forum but Eurovision is inherently political being something involving various nation states, we should be able to discuss politics on how they impact song selections/the songs themselves/ how politics will effect results in the contest without issue.

I understand the need for conversation to be civil and that political discussion can be heated and conflict centred but this policy is a rare source of disappointment i have with the forum

Israel was going to withdraw last year after October Rain was rejected until the President intervened with the broadcaster, like it or not politics cannot be avoided with this contest nor should our discussions about it

The issue is, the political discussion around Israel’s participation has only been heated. We have had to remove so many posts from this thread, it was becoming silly and it escalated to actual Board Rules being broken. You know very well Mr Mop what my personal views are on the political situation; but we have to keep this a safe space for everyone. We act on reports but we also use our own discretion.

I am happy to discuss concerns with anyone privately, as to keep this thread on-topic.

 

[StephenMuckle]

I think that next year - Israel will have to withdraw otherwise then the same reasons of why they didn't allow Russia in will take place

I think at some point the KAN privatisation bill will be pushed through the Knesset which based on the circumstances, could invalidate their EBU membership (if the intention is to politicise the network)

 

[ESC94]

Today it was turn at the ESC kompakt songchecks 2025.

Songcheck ESC 2025 (31) – Israel: „New Day Will Rise“ von Yuval Raphael - ESC kompakt

Am 13. April hat die European Broadcasting Union (EBU) mit einem klaren Statement keinen Zweifel daran gelassen, dass Israel am diesjährigen Eurovision Song Contest teilnehmen wird. „New Day…

esc-kompakt.de

The verdict of the bloggers:

Benny - At first, I thought "New Day Will Rise" was quite good, but nothing special. But when the song played through my headphones during a quiet moment, it hit me in a completely different way. It's a song that really captures the emotions, and the Hebrew bridge does the rest. Touching!

Berenike - Yuval has a truly beautiful voice and vocal palette, but for me, it's wasted on this cheesy, cookie-cutter ballad. It all seems professional and well-crafted, but also too calculatedly emotional. But who knows, maybe my impression will change live, "Hurricane" only won me over on stage.

Douze Points - Where does Israel always get all these powerful-voiced singers from?! Yuval Raphael is no exception. The song builds beautifully to the big, dramatic finale. For me, the chanson-like elements along the way still seem a bit alien. The video version doesn't quite capture my attention yet. But I can imagine the song unleashing its full power on the Eurovision stage.

Manu - While I couldn't get anything out of last year's song "Hurricane" musically, I'm more impressed with this year's Israeli ballad. Yuval has a wonderful voice, particularly in its occasionally smoky tone. The verses and bridge captivate me and awaken my hopes for a special musical moment – which the chorus unfortunately doesn't fulfill. Quite the opposite, for me, "New Day Will Rise" slips into cheesy, cozy sounds and destroys the magic that had been built up beforehand. Overall, though, it still earns a solid .

Max - The dramatic ballad of hope that I wait for every year. I really like the song, the structure is very exciting, and Yuval's voice is certainly one of the best of this year's year. I also really like the mix of voices, and I get goosebumps every time I play the song. I have to deduct a few points because the lyrics definitely needed more depth here and there.

The points of the other bloggers:

Peter - Rick - Chris - Laureen - Giulia - Danio -

 

[goncalovieira]

Lol Giulia

 

[SpiritofKeiino]

I think it has a good chance of winning the televote in the GF or at least top 3. Not a fan of the song though.

 

[Rocket man]

It would be interesting to know if the EBU has a contingency plan in place if Israel actually won. Probably not this year though.
I thought Israel's song last year was better and they finished 5th.

 

[EscGeek]

It would be interesting to know if the EBU has a contingency plan in place if Israel actually won. Probably not this year though.
I thought Israel's song last year was better and they finished 5th.

They could solve this with one simple rule fix: "Countries involved with active military conflict are not eligible to host the next years edition"

 

[han-g]

It would be interesting to know if the EBU has a contingency plan in place if Israel actually won. Probably not this year though.
I thought Israel's song last year was better and they finished 5th.

I suspect israel will do better than 5th this year, I cannot rule out a win, even though I do personally prefer hurricane, there is q degree of musical experimentation in new day will rise that juries might like, plus israel is less in the news atm so jurors might not rank it low for political reasons. And of course there is her story and I'm waiting for israel to start it's campaign any day now.

 

[SpiritofKeiino]

I suspect israel will do better than 5th this year, I cannot rule out a win, even though I do personally prefer hurricane, there is q degree of musical experimentation in new day will rise that juries might like, plus israel is less in the news atm so jurors might not rank it low for political reasons. And of course there is her story and I'm waiting for israel to start it's campaign any day now.

Agree. I think this is getting more jury votes than last year (although not top 5 or anything) and may even win the televote. I think broadly the same cohort who voted for Israel last year will support it again. A top 3 televote seems very likely imo.
I personally don't think it's winning but I expect it to finish top 5.

 

[theditz83]

I think I prefer this one to Hurricane as a song. It has some nice ideas, and does feel a bit less predictable. But I'm just not sure this is the best female-vocal ballad this year. Of course, it isn't just as simple as putting entries into similar groups to face off against each other, but I foresee Louane and France potentially grabbing a little more support overall.

 

[Mainshow]

They could solve this with one simple rule fix: "Countries involved with active military conflict are not eligible to host the next years edition"

That ship has been sailed.

They let Russia and Azerbaijan host the contest as well.

 

[EscGeek]

That ship has been sailed.

They let Russia and Azerbaijan host the contest as well.

They also let the top 10 of the previous year to compete in the next final, but then the rules were changed

There might be some backlash, but they can spin it as a safety precaution and it will die down soon.

 

[Mainshow]

Dunno if it should be a rule, though...but it is somehow a commen sense and I guess that the EBU will decide on it on a case to case basis... I mean, Ukraine wasn't allowed to host ESC either due to travel warnings etc.

Maybe a co-host event like Liverpool/Ukraine 2022 could work.

 

[han-g]

Dunno if it should be a rule, though...but it is somehow a commen sense and I guess that the EBU will decide on it on a case to case basis... I mean, Ukraine wasn't allowed to host ESC either due to travel warnings etc.

Maybe a co-host event like Liverpool/Ukraine 2022 could work.

We'd better hope Germany or Czechia come 2nd and not Spain Ireland Slovenia or the Nordics

 

[KazNew]

It's absolutely important and valid to recognise how the inclusion of this song - just as it was with Hurricane last year - continues to promote an image of perpetual victimhood on the part of the Israeli state. Of course, the EBU is totally fine with this, but they are just committed to nothing else apart from making money. I think that more Israelis or Israel supporters should be critical of their participation in Eurovision, because they seem to be unaware (or unbothered) that the EBU just want money and attention.

 

[SpiritofKeiino]

I think if Israel wins, the contest will indeed go ahead there next year with about 35 countries.
We might see a couple of countries pull out (like Iceland), but not an exodus of countries, imo.
When it comes down to it, I think most countries will still want to participate, and most artists will still jump at the opportunity to represent their country.

 

[rasmuslights]

I can't see Israel winning at all.

Israel does not have a diaspora like Ukraine, so the score will surely be deflated a lot. Around 200 with televotes, and I also think the jury won't put it higher than 15th.