Valerie Hamaty will represent Israel with a ballad, but Not in Arabic, if she Wins HaKokhav Haba

Valerie Hamaty, a contestant on HaKokhav Haba, the talent show that selects Israel’s Eurovision representative, shares her thoughts in an interview about her potential participation in the contest, her motivations for representing Israel, and her decision not to sing in Arabic if chosen to perform on the Eurovision stage.

The 25-year-old singer, who hails from a Greek Orthodox Arabic-speaking family in Jaffa, states that the experience of last year’s contest, where Israel’s representative faced boos on stage, inspired her to take part. Despite receiving support from people of diverse backgrounds, Hamaty admits to encountering racist reactions, particularly from ultra-conservative Jews who oppose the idea of an Arabic-speaking representative for Israel in Basel.

Envisioning the Eurovision Stage

In her interview, Hamaty describes how she imagines herself performing on the Eurovision stage in Basel, should she be chosen:
“I see myself wearing a stunning dress, perhaps white, with elements that tell our story—but not in an overly obvious way. I’ll have dancers in the background, and I’ll sing a ballad, primarily in English, with a few lines in Hebrew. There’s no need to overcomplicate the performance; simplicity is key.”

Her vision recalls Eden Golan’s performance at last year’s Eurovision, where her song “Hurricane” secured 5th place. However, Hamaty emphasizes that her approach will reflect her unique style and voice.

Her Language Choice for the Song

Although Hamaty has performed songs in Arabic during HaKokhav Haba, she makes it clear that if she represents Israel, her song will be in English and Hebrew.
“The fact that I’m Arab is already evident; there’s no need to underline it further. English is necessary to connect with the European audience, while Hebrew represents Israel,” she explains.

Motivations and Overcoming Challenges

Hamaty’s decision to compete stems from the events of last October and her advocacy work promoting Israel abroad. She cites the incident of Eden Golan being booed in Malmö as a turning point:
“I’ve always wanted to perform at Eurovision. After the events of 2024, I felt it was the right time for me to take on this role.”

Who Is Valerie Hamaty?

Hamaty first gained recognition as a contestant on HaKokhav Haba in 2021, where she placed second. She has studied at the prestigious Rimon School of Music and participated in Dancing with the Stars.

As previously reported, Valerie Hamaty is a Greek Orthodox Rum, Arab speaking, a member of communities found throughout the Middle East.

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Source: Euromix