Context:

Yuval Raphael, an Israeli singer and survivor of the Nova festival attack, is set to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest despite facing potential hostility and protests against her country's participation due to the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict. During the festival, she survived a harrowing attack by Hamas gunmen that left her hiding under bodies in a bomb shelter. Despite the trauma, Raphael has embraced a new professional singing career, seeing it as a gift and an opportunity to represent Israel with pride at Eurovision. The European Broadcasting Union prohibits political statements during the contest, so Raphael remains focused on the event's theme of unity through music. The Israeli delegation has faced protests and safety warnings, but Raphael remains determined to perform and spread a message of love and pride for her country.

Dive Deeper:

• Yuval Raphael was nearly killed during an attack by Hamas gunmen at the Nova festival in Israel, where she took refuge in a bomb shelter and survived by hiding under dead bodies for eight hours until rescue.

• Following the attack, Raphael began her professional singing career with a renewed appreciation for life and the experiences it offers, motivated by her survival to pursue happiness and fulfillment.

• She is preparing to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest, where her entry 'New Day Will Rise' symbolizes resilience, despite retaining physical reminders of her ordeal, such as shrapnel in her leg.

• The contest's rules prohibit political statements, prompting Raphael to focus on her performance and the event's message of unity through music, despite the political tensions surrounding Israel's participation.

• Protests against Israel's inclusion in Eurovision have emerged from various countries, with calls to ban the nation from the contest due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the Middle East.

• Raphael practices performing under potentially hostile conditions, anticipating booing and criticism, but she remains committed to her role and emphasizes the importance of focusing on music over politics.

• The Israeli delegation has faced hostility during the event, leading to safety warnings from their National Security Council, but they continue to advocate for Eurovision as a platform for diversity and connection.