In the heart of Times Square, New York, against the backdrop of rain and bright lights, a massive and impressive billboard appears, featuring Yuval Raphael, Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2025, with the Israeli flag in the background.
The billboard displays the song “New Day Will Rise“ – a song of renewal and optimism chosen to represent Israel in the popular competition.
The Consulate General of Israel in New York, which led the initiative, chose the city’s most iconic spot to broadcast a message of Israeli pride to the world:
“Vote #14 for Israel in the upcoming semi-final!”
In a video posted on the Consulate’s Instagram page, the caption reads: “Israel’s spirit shines even in the rain – now it’s your turn to vote!”
This is part of a global public diplomacy campaign promoted by the consulate.
Israel Aiming for the Finals
The competition, which will take place this coming Thursday, attracts millions of viewers from around the world, and Israel is determined to reach the finals with an unforgettable performance.
Unexpected Support
Yuval Raphael has received surprising support from Mona Jafarian, a social activist of Iranian descent living in France. Jafarian, who heads the Ezidi Woman organization, posted a support video on social media following protests against Israel at the Eurovision opening ceremony, where Raphael faced boos and even a threatening throat-slitting gesture from a protester.
Protesting the Attack on Raphael
In the video, Jafarian harshly criticized the treatment Rafael received:
“Yuval Raphael, who survived the October 7th attack and now represents Israel at Eurovision, faced a hostile and threatening crowd,” she said.
Jafarian also condemned the double moral standards displayed during the protests: “Where were all these people when, in the name of the ‘war on terror,’ the U.S. caused the deaths of 1.3 million people in Iraq and Afghanistan? Why didn’t anyone call for boycotting American singers or stop eating burgers with ketchup?”
She added: “All other Middle Eastern conflicts have claimed ten to twenty times more lives – and none sparked such an uproar.”
Concluding her remarks, Jafarian asked pointedly: “Is attacking a young singer who survived a horrific terror attack – forced to hide under the bodies of her friends to survive – really the goal of their protest?” The video has garnered widespread sharing.
