Yuval Raphael took 2nd at Eurovision – and exposed a global lie about Israel

Israelis are still celebrating Yuval Raphael's historic second-place finish at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest – a moment of national pride that came against all the odds.

Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 Nova festival massacre, walked onto the international stage under a cloud of hostility. She faced boos from the crowd, online harassment, and warnings from Israel's National Security Agency advising fans not to appear "too Israeli," out of concern for their safety.

Yet she triumphed, winning the public vote by a landslide. Raphael earned the maximum points from 12 participating countries and the top spot in the combined "rest of the world" tally.

Israel also won Thursday's semi-final round, another victory determined entirely by popular vote. The full results were only released after the grand final, but they revealed something powerful.

Among the countries where Raphael earned top marks were Spain, Ireland, and Norway – nations whose governments recently recognized a Palestinian state and have been sharply critical of Israel.

Her success exposed a quiet truth: the loudest anti-Israel voices may dominate headlines, but they don't necessarily represent the public. Behind the protests, there remains a largely silent, global majority that still supports the Jewish state.

Here are three ways we can help that silenced majority speak up.

1. Amplify the echo chamber

In the fight for public opinion, pro-Israel advocates often focus on reaching the undecided—or worse, trying to sway those who are already firmly anti-Israel. Countless campaigns aim to "change the algorithm" or convince hostile influencers that Israel isn't the villain they believe it to be.

We may be asking the wrong question.

Instead of asking how to flip our critics, we should ask how to empower those who already believe in us to speak louder, more clearly, and more often.

Jewish actor and activist Yuval David put it plainly in a recent interview: the so-called "pro-Israel echo chamber" is far too quiet. "Our echo chamber seems like a birthday balloon that somebody bought at a corner market four days ago and is now hovering close to the ground," he said. "We need to amplify the echo chamber so every Jew can … relay information and talk about almost any topic."

Rather than chasing viral moments from influencers who will never support Israel, David suggests directing resources – education, funding, training – to those already inside the Jewish and pro-Israel community. 

"We have a very weak choir," he said. "But if we can amplify the voices of Jews and allies, we'll be able to amplify the world."

2. Grassroots over glamour

Influencers may dominate the spotlight, but actual influence often happens in quieter, everyday spaces. While platforms like 𝕏 and Instagram play a role, we shouldn't overlook the impact of students, churchgoers, synagogue members, and local community leaders. These individuals are well-positioned to serve as grassroots ambassadors – trusted voices within their circles.

Research supports the value of both celebrity influence and personal connection. One study found that celebrity endorsements can significantly boost consumer trust and purchasing behavior. However, another survey showed that 83% of Americans are more likely to buy a product or service based on a recommendation from a friend or family member. In fact, 50% of Americans say that if they had to choose only one source of information, they'd pick word of mouth – either online or offline.

That matters now more than ever. According to a Gallup poll published this year, 46% of Americans express greater sympathy for Israelis compared to 33% for Palestinians in the ongoing Middle East conflict.

That means nearly half of Americans are already leaning toward us. Each one of them has friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Influence doesn't always go viral – it starts with one person talking to another. Let's find those people and help them speak up. It starts with one.

3. Embrace the friends who showed up

If the October 7 massacre taught the Jewish world anything, it's this: Evangelical Christians are our true allies.

While many groups within the Jewish community have long stood beside women's rights organizations, LGBTQ advocates, and parts of the Black community, who turned their backs on Israel after October 7, Evangelical Christians did not. They showed up. They visited. They gave generously. And most importantly, they kept speaking out.

Yes, the history between Christians and Jews is complicated. But the reality today is undeniable: there is no stronger friend of the Jewish people than the Evangelical community.

So even if there were doubts in the past – or still are – we cannot afford to be picky about our partners. We don't have enough, and we are not enough. We need allies, and Evangelical Christians have repeatedly proven that they will be on the front lines with us.

Now is the time to embrace them, not out of religious alignment or ideological agreement on every issue, but because they are here and with us. Think practically. This is not about the end of days. It's about today.

Because here's the truth: antisemitism isn't going anywhere. It's been with us since the beginning. Today, it wears the mask of anti-Zionism, but the hatred is the same. We won't eliminate it. But we can manage it – if we work smarter, speak louder, and stand together.

And perhaps most importantly, we must not be fooled by the noise. 

The digital age has given a megaphone to the loudest voices – but that doesn't make them the majority. Just ask Raphael. One young woman, one performance, one song. But when she stood on that stage, the world stood with her.

She is the proof that even in darkness, a "New Day Will Rise" for the Jewish people.