Overview

• Valerie Hamaty, an Arab Christian from Jaffa, is a frontrunner on Israel's 'Rising Star,' the competition that selects the country's Eurovision representative.
• Hamaty has gained attention for her performances of iconic Israeli songs, including a duet with a survivor of the October 7 Hamas attacks, but her rise has drawn mixed reactions across communities.
• Her candidacy has been celebrated by some as a symbol of Israel's diversity, while others question whether a non-Jewish artist should represent the nation on the global stage.
• Hamaty has chosen not to sing in Arabic at Eurovision, emphasizing that her presence as an Arab contestant already conveys a message of inclusion and multiculturalism.
• Her family and supporters highlight her efforts to bridge divides, including visits to wounded soldiers and families of victims, while also confronting criticism from both Arab and Jewish communities.