Israeli singer Yuval Raphael came in second place in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Grand Final in Basel, Switzerland, on Saturday night, after being pipped at the post by Austrian singer JJ.

Although Raphael convincingly won the popular vote among audiences across Europe, earning 297 points, she came in a disappointing 14th in the jury vote, with only Azerbaijan giving her the maximum 12 points.

Despite winning the public vote, Raphael scored 357 points for Israel in a nail-biting finish, behind Austria with 436 points and just ahead of Estonia with 356.

“I’ve never felt so victorious in my life,” said Raphael, draped in an Israeli flag, who declared, “Am Yisrael Chai” (The people of Israel live) at the end of the performance of her hopeful ballad, “New Day Will Rise,” written and composed by singer-songwriter Keren Peles.

Raphael, 24, who survived the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacre at the Nova music festival, took the stage under heightened political tension, with audible boos (in the arena, not on television) from some in the audience protesting Israel’s participation and pro-Palestinian protests outside. Still, her performance received widespread praise and warm applause.

After hearing the results, an emotional Raphael said in an interview with Israel’s Kan public broadcaster, “I feel like we’ve won in life. I don’t know how to explain it. I’ll be grateful to our nation every day of my life.”

In response to a question about how she felt coming second to Austria’s JJ, who sang a ballad titled “Wasted Love,” she generously praised him, saying, “He deserves it.”

Noting that she looked forward most to returning home to Israel, her family and friends, the Ra’anana resident told Kan, “We’re going to celebrate—and we’re going to breathe!”

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