The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 37 competing songs in Eurovision 2025. Next we review Israel, who have chosen Yuval Raphael with “New Day Will Rise”.
What were our thoughts? Read on to find out!
Yuval Raphael – “New Day Will Rise” (Israel Eurovision 2025)
Review: Yuval Raphael – “New Day Will Rise”
To safeguard the welfare of our jurors, all scores and reviews will remain anonymous.
Juror A: Meh… This is the epitome of “heard it all before.” A talented female singer delivers a beige power ballad. What’s new? Yuval’s story is indeed harrowing. But the lyrics here are fairly tepid and songwriting 101. The use of multiple languages is an interesting touch, if clearly trying to pander to the masses. Sure, it’s universal enough to pick up the points at the contest. But an all-time Eurovision classic this most certainly is not.
Juror B: I’m going to be a petty grammar snob here — ever since one of my wiwi colleagues mentioned that they couldn’t overlook the grammatical mess that is the phrase “New Day Will Rise”, when she could so easily sing “A New Day Will Rise”, I can’t unhear it. It’s such lazy, pathetic songwriting. I also love a bilingual song, but trilingual ones feel like they’re trying too hard to tick all the Eurovision boxes — see Leonora in 2019. Lastly, while “Hurricane” had the plausible deniability of being about loss, the lyrics this year can’t be construed as anything but political, so I don’t even know how they allowed it to compete.
Juror C: Despite the upheavals and controversies surrounding Israel’s participation at Eurovision, they show up to the contest with another quality package. Yuval Raphael’s voice is serene. At just 24, she emotes Keren Peles’s songwriting in a way that deepens her personal story. As she transitions from English into Hebrew and French, she takes you on a musical journey. This optimistic journey feels visual. If there’s ever a Eurovision mood board ranking on Pinterest, Yuval’s collage would get my vote.
Juror D: “New Day Will Rise” is a passable ballad reminiscent of classic chansons, though it never quite hits its oomph at the end. The interjection of strings – and Yuval’s raspy vocals at various points – bring a welcome edge to what would otherwise be a fairly straightforward song. The multilingual lyrics in English, French, and Hebrew are a nice touch. Sure, the fact that the second verse is just a translation of the first is lazy, but it gets the point across. “New Day Will Rise” doesn’t break any musical ground, but it’s a safe entry with a strong message of perseverance.
Israel Eurovision 2025 ranking
We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 5.13/10
What do you think of Israel’s Eurovision 2025 entry? Share your thoughts on Yuval Raphael’s “New Day Will Rise” below!
It’s easy to be dismissive. Sure, many song structures feel familiar—but that doesn’t take away this song’s value. Yuval brings raw emotion, drawn from real-life experience that many choose to heartlessly ignore. Sometimes simplicity hits hardest, especially when it’s rooted in genuine pain. The multilingual aspect isn’t pandering—it reflects the universality of grief and resilience. Not every song has to reinvent the wheel to be powerful. If your dealbreaker is “A New Day Will Rise” vs “New Day Will Rise,” maybe you’re more into grammar than music. Trilingual = trying too hard? Or maybe it’s just trying to reach more… Read more »
Is it just me or am i hearing the verse of windmills of your mind?
I love the piano so much.
Also during the Hebrew biblical Song of the Songs part it’s a lovely piano composition.
And there are also bird sounds in the song I like.
There is the bird sound with the strings before the French part, but when you listen closely there’s also little birds singing when she sings Sunshine in the day, and at the end with the sea waves.
Birds are a beautiful symbol of hope.
Maybe there is Something i dont understand Here but I find the anonymous review specifically only for This entry quite weird (why mit do it for all the Others too then). And shoutout to Icon Juror C Deban Adeyemi. WE all know its u Babe 😉
Probably because it’s very controversial the broadcaster in question is allowed to participate. They don’t want bashing from either side.
It’s a beautiful song and a great voice. Even though the jurors sound biased, I believe it’s a clear TOP 5 in the final, and maybe 1st or 2nd on Televoting (same story like last year)
People do not see/feel/hear things as things are, People see/feel/hear things as themselves are. So, what are you made of is what you manifest. Harsh judgements keep for your own irrelevance. A Lovely New Day to you too.
Go Israel!
It’s alright on every level and I prefer it over ‘Hurricane’, but like most of these ballads it gives me nothing.
Israel 6.5/12
You didn’t say what the lowest score that you removed was, like you did for other songs?
I like the singer but not the song!
5.13?!?? In what world?? I get the politics etc but if this was any country it would easily be in 7+
I forget politics for a moment and tell you that this is a mediocre song which does not deserve a better score.
Israel 2025: The entry that said “I will deliver a good vocal ballad” but somehow still got reviewed like it borrowed its chorus from an elevator music.
Let’s be honest: if Israel submitted silence, someone would still say it was “a bit too loud and political.”
Israel 2009 reunited at Sanremo 2025.
https://youtu.be/Ql_PkYzcdnc?si=YNEtkU7zHc0DBp0P
Sadly can’t find video, but here at least is audio!
https://youtu.be/dukGRkJIw8U?si=WNBkZJg17dhMmhAC
News flash
Shortage of burner phones in Israel as we speak
That’s right shortage of burner phones
Desperate much lol
Two comments in moderation. Sad face.
DONATE TO UNICEF IS ALL I’M SAYING
FairPlay for sharing but aid will probably be stuck in Egypt as Israel don’t let it in.
Why do people downvote a comment about a donation to UNICEF, that’s sick…
Unfortunately it’s almost impossible for human aid organisations to reach G a z a, it’s very dangerous and the roads are destroyed. Over 150 human aid workers already lost their lives, but you are right: donating is the least we can do, and not be silent about it.
New rule.
Every time someone comments on G a z a or the I D F, they must put their money where their mouth is and donate to Unicef.
If you haven’t done so already, it’s not too late!
https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/children-gaza-need-lifesaving-support
Thank you for sharing!
I’m not accusing it of plagiarism or anything like that, but I always think of Windmills of Your Mind by Michel Legrand when I hear this song. Fair?
https://youtu.be/SHsztGvI7R0?si=IOReXllbyJstcO9f
The fact jurors need to be anonymous just shows you how some “fans” go too far. Just look at the people on Twitter/X
7.5/10 Very nice ballad, high impact, nice lyrics, good vocals
I believe it’s a stronger song than last year cuz it does sound like 3 minutes instead of 3:45 cut at the bridge. However it has a quality of like… the hottest ballad of 2005. I don’t feel there’s any kind of push to present something with impact, just checking the boxes and done. I don’t fee any flair or desire to make it unique and stand out.
Israel – I think Yuval is a really great vocalist and absolutely has potential but unlike last year, this song really doesn’t make me feel any sort of emotion. I’m somewhat unsure about the French section yet I do understand it in a way since we’re in Switzerland this year. I just really wish Yuval was given a much stronger song. It’s alright, nothing more. 4.5/10
ISRAEL – It’s difficult to rate songs that are emotionally charged by contrasting feelings. On one part, this is about a personal survival of Yuval in one of the great tragedies of recent years. On the other, that tragedy is arguably exploited by the broadcaster shifting the focus from its own problematic behavior. As a song, New Day Will Rise is a sentimental piano ballad that feels palpable for lovers of the genre. The strings flow gently through the song, and add to the melancholic touch. The chorus uses a lovely waltz-like melody. The language shifts between French, English, and… Read more »
When I looked at the other songs of the songwriter, she makes personal songs about love and hope, nature, often with beautiful piano.
50,000 dead people in 18 months is one is the greatest tragedies in recent years.
100 dead children a day is one of the greatest tragedies of recent years.
The gaslighting, complicity and ignorance of the west adds fuel to that tragedy
Yuval looks so beautiful in this photo. She’s beautiful, strong, and talented, and she’s been through so much – and that “so much” has been put into words. And she was not alone and she’s not alone now <3
I love it.
Her voice is strong and delicate at the same time.
And I love the composition, the piano notes, at the beginning of the song and also during the Hebrew part.
It’s comforting.
It’s really unfortunate that it has come to this… jurors A, B, C, D. I get it, but it’s so saddening.
I refuse to listen to this so-called song.
Once La Poupee does her thing, I’ll be having a watermelon snack break. I know some of you will join me.
Ugh another bland message song
2/10
The song, the vocal, and the production are again a perfect combination that will definitely reach many people in I srael and in other countries, music and feelings are universal even though some people more emotional than others.
Last year, the H ebrew lyrics were very subtle but this year, they should be intense and expansive.
I think “New Day Will Rise” is very much a love song too, and since losing a loved one can be the most difficult thing to deal with even under “normal” circumstances, so many people in I srael lost loved ones that day in the most a wful circumstances or as a consequence of the events that day. And even when people without a family there lost their lives, thousands of people went to say their farewells even under incoming fire. There’s a lot that has happened that puts this song into perspective. This entry is worthy of respect and… Read more »
Wow 3 ChatGPT generated “deep and poetic” reviews of this song.
Are you trying to convince us? Or are you trying to convince yourself?
Sometimes, the best way to shut down the hate is to shut down the ability to comment.
It’s pity that there are places where people perform hate and feel it is the right thing to do.
In fact, that’s disgusting. And has nothing to do with “love, love, peace, peace” and “united by music”.
Therefore, I’ll write that I like Israeli song and I appreciate the music value they bring to this SONG CONEST almost every year (unlike some countries that perform hate on Israeli delegation… another year in a row).
“Love, love, love, peace” is a mockery entry. Nothing else. And if you sing about that, just like Russia did, it’s probably a cover up for something else.
Couldn’t agree more with Wiwi jury, which doesn’t occure very often.
The French lyrics are most likely a nod to Yuval’s childhood in Geneva, and that’s great. Also, writing lyrics in English *and* in French requires talent and it’s NOT lazy. I think it was really a great choice and Yuval singing the French verse during the live performances will create a very special moment for native speakers, I’m so sure of it.
Honestly, it makes sense that they’d go anonymous.
Rank it too high, and you’ll be called a “Zionist propaganda tool”.
Rank it too low, you’ll be called antisemitic.
I wonder what will happen if someone puts the song in the middle. Two theories:
This comment says it all. I wonder who votes it down. Cannot accept this truth
Average song meets political hysteria
I feel that Keren has done something awesome with “new day will rise”, it looks like it follows H ebrew grammar, and that says *everything* and I LOVE IT!
There aren’t that “many” lyrics and that’s ok. This song doesn’t require “many” lyrics. When someone goes through highly t raumatic experiences, there isn’t that “much” to say, because there’s only so much that person can handle or only so much to be said or done at once. People have to survive and recover or rebuild themselves, and there’s nothing “huge” or “embellished” that will help achieve that.
Beautiful comment.
The lyrics feel like a healing mantra, to recover.
Ok so Hebrew grammar says you shouldn’t put articles on English nouns?
This song is so meh, I can’t even have an opinion on it ?
Like a 5, 6 from me?
Where are the scores?
Wait, ignore this, I saw the stuff at the top
an AMAZING Song !
better than hurricane, but not as memorable
Not as good as Hurricane. Not by a long shot. Hurricane wasn’t as poorly produced as this.
“New Day Will Rise” is in my opinion another great example of the unbreakable spirit of the Je wish people: strong, intelligent, talented and res ilient. They keep on surviving, defending themselves and living with dignity and unapologetically. The words in English and French stand out with their elegant simplicity and they convey a sense of personal and collective optimism despite loss and pain. To me the lyrics in B iblical H ebrew represent a treasured legacy of the wisdom of the Je wish people that has shaped and left fundamental imprints on our world since ancient times. Right before… Read more »
Wiwi Jury rankings
A middle-of-the-road ballad is progress over the tasteless flash-historical melodrama we had last year. This probably won’t end Eurovision as we know it. Yay.
Quality ballad. This has been severely marked down.
Old Israel was rather good, now their going for the “peace” and “remembrance” topics as did Russia back in the day and caused so much stir(like they have no part or guilt. I could never stand those songs as I can stand these ones.
I know what they trying but, rather than emotional and powerful, “New Day Will Rise” ends up being just pretentious and boring.
1. Poland (6.5)
2. Ukraine (6.25)
3. Israel (4)
Amen to that
I didn’t really have an opinion about it at first, but it’s grown on me. It has a strong chorus and I really like her voice. Not my favorite song, but not the worst either.
The only thing I hope is that Israel doesn’t only send these kinds of songs over the next few years, because then it’ll probably get a bit boring in the long run.
It’s just the 2nd ballad.. Last year their song ended with a bit of light and now only one year after Yuval’s trauma it’s already full of hope.
That is very soon already.
Some people when they lose a loved one, it takes years to recover or never will.
“The lyrics this year can’t be construed as anything but political, so I don’t even know how they allowed it to compete.”
Exactly.
So true
It’s a good song tho. If the country wouldnt matter it woule be in my top 10
I gave it a few tries, but it does nothing for me. I understand that the writers might have faced an impossible task as they would most likely be censored if they tried writing meaningful lyrics instead of these empty platitudes but the composition doesn’t move me either. Not at all. It sounds like an English-French language tutorial. As always, I just rate what I hear, regardless of country, clearly a foreign concept in the heinous Eurovision community, but I won’t deny that I expect more soul especially from a ballad that wants to sell a traumatic experience given the… Read more »
I don’t think it’s about the traumatic experience, that’s just the intro.
Right after the intro, the song is about deciding to move forward, her healing and recovery.
You have removed higher and lower scores… and scores in general, I see.