Israeli Singer Yuval Raphael Wins Second Place in Eurovision Song Contest Final

When we posted news on May 7 that Israeli singer Yuval Raphael would be a top contender to win the Eurovision song contest in Basel, Switzerland, we didn't know how her song, New Day Will Rise, would be received by the jury and the general public. With the finals having just been completed today, we know the result.

Israel's entry got the most popular votes but the jury placed it at number 14, resulting in an overall second place finish.

As Amy Spiro wrote in The Times of Israel,

Israel’s Yuval Raphael finished in second place overall at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, and first in the public vote, as Austria’s JJ took the overall win at the annual competition.

Raphael received the most votes from the public, 297, out of any of the 26 finalists, but was only 14th place in the jury vote, landing Israel with a second-place finish.

Austria topped the jury vote and finished fourth in the televote to take the win with its operatic ballad “Wasted Love.” Estonia finished in third place and the heavy favorites going into the competition, Sweden, ended up only in the fourth spot.

Raphael gave a strong performance, singing in an elaborate stage setting, and ascending a spiral staircase during the song. Here is the video of her song at the finals.

Enjoy!