Israel comes second in Eurovision Song Contest, winning public vote

Austria’s delegate JJ has won the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, edging out second place competitor Israel with the song “Wasted Love”, and officially making Austria next year’s Eurovision host country.

Israel came in second after a strong performance in the jury vote and winning the public phone in vote, including taking 12 points from the UK. Israeli performer Yuval Raphael’s performance of her song “New Day Will Rise” was met with scattered boos as well as resounding applause from both the audience and the media centre in Basel. The Nova survivor concluded her performance with a strong message, shouting: “Thank you Europe, Am Yisrael Chai.”

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - MAY 17: Yuval Raphael representing Israel performs on stage during the Grand Final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest Opening Ceremony at St. Jakobshalle on May 17, 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images)Getty Images

The audience awarded Israel 297 points, temporarily landing Israel at the top of the leaderboard until the nail-biting announcement of Austria’s audience vote. 

Azerbaijan awarded Israel 12 points in the judges’ vote, while Israel awarded its 12 jury points to Greece, which was announced by last year’s Israeli representative Eden Golan.

Sweden was the favourite to win this year, followed by Austria and France, but Austria took the lead when it came to the judges’ votes and scored enough audience votes to secure the trophy.

Israel’s performance was marred by the arrests of three British pro-Palestinian activists who attempted to disrupt Raphael’s performance, but were arrested by Swiss police and removed from the arena.