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New Day Will Rise by Yuval Raphael
Here we go again. I’d hoped the situation between Israel and Gaza would have been sufficiently improved so as not to overshadow another year of Eurovision – and far more importantly to have ended the often-indiscriminate horrific killing and violence in the region – but we’re clearly, and sadly, not there yet. I’d also hoped to not need to preface this with a reminder that “Israel” at Eurovision is actually “a public service broadcaster” at Eurovision and not the Israeli Government. I’m as horrified as anyone about what I see on the news, and I shouldn’t have to even say it, but my engagement with this as a song in no way diminishes that feeling.
So, what do we have?
Yuval’s experiences as a survivor of the barbaric Hamas October attacks on Israeli civilians is well documented. Some may see this as being a cynical choice of artist, but for ordinary Israelis still reeling from the worst terror attack on their people for decades I completely understand the desire to support her. At times, due to the sheer scale and shock of the Israeli government’s response it can feel like the raw impact of Hamas’s terrorism is overlooked.
Just as Israel’s participation in Eurovision remains divisive for many, so too will this choice of song. Opinions will run from this being highly sentimental to being highly calculated. I’ve seen Jewish friends moved to tears by this song whilst others scoff at how contrived they think it is. More than any other entry this year, support or opposition is going to be influenced by a range of views on the current geo-political position.
I don’t fall into either camp. I see this is a very competent song – one which as we know it will receive huge public support is a genuine contender for victory – but I’m not especially moved by it personally. It’s written by the same songwriter as last year’s entry, and like that, I find this a little too blithely sentimental. In fact, and purely from the perspective of being a long-term fan of Eurovision, I’m terrified by the prospect of an Israeli win right now. I’m not sure how the Contest would survive it next year. But I’d trade that fear for an end to all the suffering in a heartbeat.
My marks: 5 points
Photo: Shai Franco/EBU