Skip to main content

Yuval Raphael will represent Israel in Basel

22 January 2025 at 23:02 CET
Yuval Raphael will sing for Israel in Basel Photo: Tal Givoni
Yuval Raphael has won the latest series of 'The Rising Star' and will be representing Israel at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest.

The 2024/25 edition of Israeli talent show The Rising Star (HaKokhav HaBa) has come to its conclusion. That means that it has a new winner... And Israel has its next Eurovision Song Contest participant. 

The latest series of The Rising Star began last November and its final took place on Wednesday 22 January, with 4 finalists competing. After an evening of performances, and once the judges and the audience watching at home had cast their votes, Yuval Raphael emerged as the winner, taking that sought-after victory - and the ticket to Basel. 

Regarding her win, Yuval said: 

"I can't explain how excited and ready I am!! Thank you for giving me this huge honour and trusting me to represent my country on the grand Eurovision stage in Switzerland"

Valerie Hamaty finished in second place, Red Band & Moran Aharoni came in third, and at the start of the evening, Daniel Wais ended up in fourth place.

Yuval Raphael will be singing for Israel in Basel Tal Givoni

Yuval Raphael, 24, from Ra'anana, began her professional singing career only last year and captivated the audience with her voice all the way through to the final of the competition. As a child, she listened to classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Scorpions, as well as iconic singers such as Beyoncé and Celine Dion.

The song that Yuval Raphael will take to Basel will be revealed by Israeli broadcaster Kan in the coming weeks.

In 2024, the winner of The Rising Star was Eden Golan, who got to represent Israel at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest with the song Hurricane

In Malmö, Hurricane achieved a 5th-place finish at the Grand Final.

To keep up to date on everything leading up to the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, bookmark our Basel 2025 page and follow us on socials!

Don't forget to download our app (for iOSAndroid), sign up to the official Eurovision Song Contest newsletter, and subscribe to the official podcast!