Yuval Raphael never dreamt she'd be at Eurovision. The last major music event she attended was the Nova festival, in Israel, where she was nearly killed. On 7 October 2023, the singer fled the festival when Hamas gunmen started shooting. Now she's preparing to go on stage at the world's largest music event. "It's something I deal with every day," she told the BBC. "It feels like a personal win, just to be having this experience and representing my country and doing it with such pride." On that day - one and a half years ago - Ms Raphael was attending her first outdoor rave. As rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel, and Hamas gunmen started shooting at revellers, she attempted to flee the carnage. She and her friends took refuge in a concrete bomb shelter at the side of a road. Around 50 people were crammed in, lying on top of each other. But there was no escape as the gunmen shot repeatedly into the mass of bodies in the shelter and then threw in hand grenades. Ms Raphael managed to call her father in tears, as heard in a recording played in an Israeli documentary. "Dad, lots of people are dead. Send the police here. Please dad, send the police, it's urgent.. they're crushing me," she said. "Be quiet," he replied. "Yuvali my daughter. Yuvali, breathe deep. Hide. Play dead." "Bye," she said, thinking that was the end. Ms Raphael was one of only 11 people in the shelter to survive. She hid under a pile of dead bodies for eight hours until they were rescued. That day, around 1,200 people were killed by gunmen led by Hamas, and 251 were taken hostage. Ms Raphael's professional singing career started after the attack. "I wished for myself to be happy and to really understand the gift that I had been given, and that's to live," she says. "To have more experiences, to be happy and to live fully." On Thursday, the 24-year-old will sing her song, New Day Will Rise, at the Eurovision semi-final with shrapnel still in her leg. The rules of the European Broadcasting Union – which is in charge of Eurovision – means no political statements can be made. The singer won't describe what happened to her at Nova during the run-up to the competition. She previously gave testimony about her experience to the United Nations. The Israeli entrant has had to contend with protests about her country's participation in the song contest. Irish national broadcaster RTÉ asked the EBU for a discussion on Israel's inclusion. Its director general, Kevin Bakhurst, said he was "appalled by the ongoing events in the Middle East and by the horrific impact on civilians in Gaza, and the fate of Israeli hostages". Spain and Slovenia's broadcasters also asked for a discussion. Last week, more than 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a letter calling on the organisers to ban Israel from the competition. More than 52,800 people have been killed in Gaza since the 7 October attacks, including 2,700 since the Israeli offensive resumed, according to the territory's health ministry. In previous years, other countries have been banned from the contest. Belarus was suspended in 2021 after submitting an overtly political entry and a year later Russia was barred over the war in Ukraine. Ms Raphael said she was trying not to deal with those who say her country shouldn't be competing. "Everybody has opinions," she said. "I'm really putting everything aside and just concentrating on the most important thing. The slogan this year is 'united by music' and that's what we are here for." Eurovision said it understood the concerns and views about the current situation in the Middle East, but insisted members should ensure Eurovision remained a "universal event that promotes connections, diversity and inclusion through music". Nevertheless, Israeli fans have been warned by their country's National Security Council not to wear Jewish or Israeli symbols while attending Eurovision. On Sunday, during the Eurovision opening parade in the Swiss host city of Basel, the Israeli delegation made a complaint to the police and the EBU after accusing a pro-Palestinian demonstrator of making a throat-slitting gesture and spitting at the delegation. "It was scary at times, even uncomfortable, but it makes me keep reminding myself why I'm here and my agenda, which is spreading as much love as I can and bringing pride to my country," Ms Raphael said. Last year, the Israeli singer Eden Golan, who said she received death threats, was booed as she sang. "I think I'm expecting it," admitted Ms Raphael, when she was asked if she too anticipated booing. "But we are here to sing and I'm going to sing my heart out for everyone." She said they had done a few rehearsals with sounds in the background so she could practise with distractions. Asked if that was upsetting, she told the BBC she had a lot of emotions she was putting aside to stay focused. "I really think I have a lot of weight on my shoulders, I have a very big responsibility. I have a lot of people at home that are expecting something."
'I've practised being booed' Israel's Eurovision entry tells BBC
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Israeli Singer Yuval Raphael Prepares for Eurovision Amidst Ongoing Conflict"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Yuval Raphael, a 24-year-old singer from Israel, is set to perform at Eurovision, a milestone she never anticipated after a traumatic experience at a music festival in October 2023, where she narrowly escaped a deadly attack by Hamas gunmen. On that fateful day, Raphael was attending the Nova festival when gunfire erupted, forcing her and others to seek refuge in a bomb shelter. Tragically, she was one of only 11 survivors from a group of approximately 50 people crammed into the shelter, enduring eight harrowing hours while hiding beneath the bodies of the deceased. This traumatic event catalyzed her decision to pursue a singing career, as she felt a renewed sense of purpose and a desire to live life fully. Her upcoming performance of "New Day Will Rise" at Eurovision carries profound personal significance, as she aims to represent her country with pride despite the physical and emotional scars she bears from the attack, including shrapnel lodged in her leg.
As she prepares for her performance, Raphael faces the complexities of participating in Eurovision amidst ongoing protests regarding Israel's inclusion in the contest. Several broadcasters have called for discussions about Israel's participation, citing the impact of the recent violence in the region. Despite this, Raphael is determined to focus on her music rather than the political tensions surrounding the event. She acknowledges the potential for backlash and expresses her readiness for any negative reactions, including the possibility of being booed, as seen with previous Israeli contestants. Raphael emphasizes the importance of unity through music, aligning with Eurovision's slogan, "united by music," and aims to bring joy and pride to her homeland through her performance. Though she is aware of the weight of expectations on her shoulders, she remains committed to sharing her story and her music with the world, hoping to inspire resilience and connection amidst the turmoil surrounding her country's current situation.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the journey of Yuval Raphael, an Israeli singer who is set to perform at Eurovision after surviving a harrowing attack by Hamas gunmen at a music festival. It emphasizes her resilience and the emotional weight of representing her country on such a significant platform. The narrative presents a stark contrast between the traumatic experiences she endured and her current aspirations as an artist.
Intent Behind the Publication
The coverage seems aimed at portraying an inspirational story of survival and resilience in the face of violence and tragedy. By focusing on Raphael's personal triumph over adversity, the article seeks to evoke empathy and support for her and, by extension, for Israel. This narrative could foster a sense of national pride and solidarity among readers, especially in light of ongoing regional tensions.
Public Perception
The article likely aims to generate a positive perception of Israel amidst the backdrop of conflict. By framing Raphael's experience as a testament to perseverance, it seeks to rally support from both domestic and international audiences, potentially aligning them with her story and the broader Israeli narrative.
Potential Omissions
While the article is emotionally compelling, it may obscure broader geopolitical complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By focusing primarily on an individual story, it risks downplaying systemic issues or the perspectives of those affected by the violence from both sides.
Reliability of the Information
The factual elements presented about the attack and Raphael's survival are likely accurate, as they are corroborated by her personal account and documented experiences. However, the emotional framing may influence how readers interpret these facts, potentially leading to a biased understanding of the situation.
Societal Implications
The story could resonate particularly with communities that value resilience and artistic expression as forms of national identity. It may also appeal to those sympathetic to Israel's plight, thereby reinforcing existing narratives around the conflict.
Economic and Political Impact
This article may indirectly affect public sentiment towards Israel, influencing potential economic support or tourism to the country, particularly in the arts and cultural sectors. A positive portrayal could lead to increased funding or sponsorship for artistic endeavors, which may be critical in times of conflict.
Global Power Dynamics
While the article primarily focuses on an individual narrative, it subtly reflects the ongoing struggles within the region. The story may resonate with global audiences who are concerned about human rights and the impact of violence on civilians, potentially leading to discussions around international policy and support.
Use of AI in Article Composition
It's possible that AI models were employed in crafting this article, particularly in structuring the narrative and ensuring emotional engagement. The language used may have been influenced by algorithms designed to evoke empathy, as seen in the emphasis on personal struggle and survival.
Manipulative Elements
The article could be viewed as manipulative in its presentation, as it emphasizes emotional resonance while potentially sidelining deeper contextual issues. The choice of language and framing may guide readers towards a specific emotional response, encouraging sympathy without fully addressing the complexities involved.
In conclusion, this news piece, while rooted in a real and tragic event, appears to serve broader purposes of national representation and emotional engagement, potentially at the cost of a more nuanced understanding of the situation.