Israel’s Eurovision contender says she is ‘mentally ready’ regardless of protests

ZURICH – Israel’s Eurovision contestant Yuval Raphael says she had been frightened by pro-Palestinian protests and safety considerations surrounding Israel’s participation within the competitors, however was “specializing in the love” proven by international followers. 

“I have been mentally making ready for this,” Raphael advised Reuters in an interview on Monday following her look on the contest’s “turquoise carpet” opening ceremony on Sunday, which was disrupted by protesters. 

“Yesterday was horrifying, even at instances uncomfortable,” she mentioned. “However I’m specializing in the nice and the love” proven by international followers, she added.

Raphael, 24, was on the Nova music pageant through the October 7 assault by Hamas militants on southern Israel that killed 1,200 folks and noticed 251 taken hostage, in accordance with Israeli officers. She was chosen in January to signify Israel within the 2025 contest. 

Basel police mentioned on Monday they have been investigating an incident of an individual apparently making a threatening gesture in direction of the Israeli delegation throughout Sunday’s ceremony. 

A younger man carrying a keffiyeh head scarf – that has develop into an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian trigger – and holding a Palestinian flag allegedly made a throat-slitting gesture towards Raphael, in accordance with a delegation from Israel’s public broadcaster KAN.

Israel’s army marketing campaign in Gaza in response to the October assault has killed greater than 52,000 Palestinians, in accordance with well being authorities within the territory. 

The battle has prompted officers in international locations together with Spain, Slovenia and Iceland to query whether or not Israel ought to participate within the competitors.

Raphael’s entry, New Day Will Rise, is a pop track with verses in English, French, and Hebrew. She is scheduled to carry out within the semi-finals on Thursday, , with the ultimate due on Could 17 at Basel’s St. Jakobshalle area.

Regardless of the controversy, Raphael mentioned her objective stays unchanged. 

“The agenda that I got here right here with from the start is spreading love and hope as a lot as I can,” she mentioned. “It’s simply serving to me rebalance,” she mentioned.

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