BBC presenter and Eurovision stalwart Graham Norton has caused controversy among viewers thanks to his remarks about Israeli singer Yuval Raphael.
The 24-year-old singer, who survived the Hamas attack on the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, was fourth up on Saturday and sang her ballad New Day Will Rise, which was inspired by the ordeal.
Raphael was one of just 11 survivors from a group of around 50 people who took refuge in a concrete bomb shelter during the attack, using dead bodies as a shield for eight hours until she was rescued.
With the conflict still ongoing between Israel and Hamas, the nation’s participation in Eurovision has sparked significant controversy, with pro-Palestinian protesters disrupting Raphael’s dress rehearsal on Thursday.
Yuval Raphael represented Israel at this year’s Eurovision
GETTY
Eurovision 2025: Israel’s entry Yuval Raphael has faced plenty of backlash to her participation GETTY
However, the European Broadcasting Union has defended Israel’s inclusion, maintaining that Eurovision is a non-political event.
Norton addressed the controversy when introducing Raphael during the BBC’s broadcast on Saturday night, telling viewers: “Onto song number four and it’s the turn of Israel.
“Now, of course, their participation continues to be controversial. Fewer protests this year, but a mixed response during some of the rehearsals. They’re here tonight because of the public vote.
“Representing them this year is Yuval Raphael. She’s 24 and she earned her spot here by winning Israel’s biggest talent show, Rising Star.
Graham Norton angered several Eurovision viewers with his Yuval Raphael remarks
X
“She only began singing professionally in 2023, and you can see why; she has an extraordinary voice, and it’s a big, powerful ballad. Also, very nicely staged.”
While Norton was complimentary about Raphael’s ability on the stage, several Eurovision fans flocked to social media to criticise his omission of her ordeal on October 7 and how it inspired her song choice.
“Graham Norton saying that Yuval Raphael ‘only started singing in 2023’ but omitting that the trigger event was her surviving the 7th October attack at the Nova festival by hiding in a pile of corpses… #Eurovision #ISR,” one fan pointed out on X.
A second similarly hit out: “BBC neglecting to mention she was an October 7th survivor. Go Yuval #BBCEurovision.”
Graham Norton with UK entry Remember Monday
BBC
And a third also fumed: “#Eurovision Graham Norton mentioned the controversy, fair enough, but didn’t mention that she survived the Hamas attack at the Nova festival.”
“I love Graham Norton, but to not mention Yuval Raphael’s backstory is a disgrace #Eurovision,” another raged. (sic)
After Raphael performed, she yelled “thank you, Europe” to the crowd, who appeared to be cheering and applauding the singer following her performance.
However, Norton caused a stir once again when he alluded to the possibility that the sound inside the arena may be different from the raucous cheers viewers heard at home.
He told BBC viewers: “Not sure what you’re hearing at home, (but) a slightly mixed response here in the hall.
“Last year, they came fifth, third in 2023, that could do very well tonight, very big phone vote.”
Once again, social media was flooded with viewers who were quick to react to Norton’s revelation.
“Graham Norton basically saying we are not hearing the true crowd reaction for Israel is PEAK #Eurovision,” one fan typed before a second weighed in: “Graham Norton telling on them not playing the crowd noises…. #Eurovision.”
Yuval Raphael was involved in the October 7 attack by Hamas in 2023
GETTY
A third echoed: “Fair play to Graham Norton for telling the truth about the crowd reaction #Eurovision.” (sic)
It is worth noting that the BBC has no part in editing or alterations to the live broadcast as it’s distributed across the world by the EBU.
