Austria may be hosting Eurovision 2026—but the real story of this year’s contest was Israel’s sweeping victory in the hearts of the public.
Yuval Raphael, Israel’s contestant and a survivor of the October 7 Nova music festival massacre, didn’t just sing—she stood defiant in the face of threats, protests, and open hostility. And when she delivered her haunting ballad New Day Will Rise on the grand stage, millions across Europe responded with overwhelming support.
The popular vote? Israel crushed it.
Despite finishing second overall, Raphael won the public’s top spot, racking up maximum points from country after country. Even Ireland, one of the more vocal critics of Israel in the lead-up to the contest, awarded her a stunning 10 points—sending a clear message that, in the eyes of everyday viewers, she deserved to shine.
But the night wasn’t without drama. Before the first song, Spain’s RTVE set a combative tone, declaring: “When human rights are at stake, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine.” Then came the flashpoint—two protesters stormed the stage during Raphael’s performance, throwing red paint (a long-standing anti-Semitic symbol) and rattling the singer mid-song. Security swiftly removed them, but the damage was done: Raphael was visibly shaken, yet she carried on.
This act of protest struck a nerve. The red paint symbolized more than politics—it echoed centuries-old blood libels against Jews. For Raphael, it was a deeply personal assault. She had once hidden under the corpses of friends to survive a massacre. That trauma now collided with her performance on a global stage.
And yet, viewers across Europe stood with her.
Elon Musk hailed Telegram founder Pavel Durov earlier that week for refusing to bow to French demands to block conservative Romanian channels—another layer in the growing debate over censorship, elections, and media interference. Meanwhile, the Romanian Foreign Ministry hurled unproven accusations of Russian meddling into its own election, even as the broader EU looked on.
Then, amid the spectacle and noise, Austria’s JJ—an openly queer, Austrian-Filipino singer—took the crown with Wasted Love. A worthy win, no doubt. But for many, the night belonged to Israel. Raphael’s second-place finish in the jury score didn’t matter nearly as much as the landslide of love she received from the people.
Online activists raged, social media lit up with outrage, and yet none of it could erase the fact: when the people had their say, they stood with Yuval Raphael. They stood with resilience. And, for one unforgettable night, they stood with Israel.
