It was a pleasure to meet @Caitlyn_Jenner today.
Her visit to Tel Aviv during Pride week is a meaningful gesture of solidarity with our local LGBTQ+ community and with Israel.
Thank you for standing with us and celebrating freedom and equality in Tel Aviv pic.twitter.com/YMAp08x126

— Mayor of Tel Aviv (@MayorOfTelAviv) June 11, 2025

Jenner was originally scheduled to fly back to Los Angeles on Saturday, but her flight was cancelled along with other international departures. Production teams worked on Saturday to find alternative travel arrangements for Jenner, ultimately securing her passage through Jordan, from where she could finally return home to Los Angeles.

The leadership by @IsraeliPM Bibi, and Israel's closest ally President @realDonaldTrump will not allow this reckless violence towards so many continue. Israeli jets overhead in Iran now. (Bye bye terrorists). We will liberate Irans citizens
Thank you to all allies!
PEACE FOR ALL!

— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) June 14, 2025

During her brief visit, Jenner experienced air raid sirens and missile attacks over the past two days due to the security situation. This led to strong expressions of support on her social media platforms. "What an incredible way it has been to celebrate Shabbat. I am here in Israel, in Tel Aviv with you all. I am a friend, advocate, ally, and thank you to the Israeli people for making me family," she posted Saturday evening on her X account. "We will prevail and liberate the poor Iranian people held hostage by terrorist thugs!"

The celebrity also visited Kibbutz Be'eri during her stay, according to photographs released by the kibbutz spokesperson.

The post Caitlyn Jenner escapes warzone through Jordan appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Tonight's highly anticipated Eurovision second semi-final features sixteen nations battling for ten coveted spots in Saturday's grand final, with Israel's Yuval Raphael drawing worldwide attention as she performs amid protests and threats in Basel, Switzerland.

Ranked fourth in prediction polls with "New Day Will Rise," Raphael faced both antisemitic harassment, including a protester who was arrested after making slaughter gestures toward the Israeli delegation, and overwhelming support as she prepares to take the stage 14th in a diverse lineup that ranges from Australia to Finland.

"Everything we've been working on for months has transformed into reality, and regardless of preparation, it's overwhelming," she shared in an interview with Israel Hayom. "This has been the most enjoyable experience of my life. I savored every moment and never wanted to leave the stage."

Regrettably, as anticipated, the reception for Raphael and the Israeli delegation has proven challenging. Anti-Israeli demonstrations have shadowed the competition's official events, including audience members shouting "free Palestine" during Raphael's rehearsal, and a pro-Palestinian protester made a throat-slitting gesture toward the delegation. Israeli officials immediately filed a police complaint, and the individual was arrested and questioned.

"The turquoise carpet day was difficult. I'd already heard about the protests backstage and understood what I was walking into, but experiencing it firsthand is different," Raphael explained. "I took a deep breath and reminded myself that nobody could be prouder than me to represent this country and wave our flag – I grabbed it and waved it enthusiastically. This is who I am and what I stand for," she told Israel Hayom.

The threatening incident particularly affected Raphael. "It was genuinely frightening – all those gestures, but it reinforced exactly why I'm here and where my heart belongs, and it will enhance my performance."

When asked if she ever questions facing such hostility, particularly as someone who survived the October 7 attack at the Nova music festival, Raphael remained resolute, "No, because we're all still going through this together. I arrived with the most open heart, I maintain that openness, and I came to create music."

While there is still no official confirmation from police regarding the incident, sources within the Jewish community say that the man who made the threatening gesture wasn't a local resident but someone who apparently traveled specifically for the Eurovision events. When asked about this information, Raphael responded, "From my personal perspective, I'm pleased the issue is being addressed. I'm setting aside everything that happens because I have a single objective – to deliver a strong performance."

Despite these challenges, Raphael also experienced significant support. "There was tremendous affection from the audience on the turquoise carpet. People made heart gestures toward me and shouted, 'we love you'."

Wednesday's dress rehearsal provided insights into what viewers can expect tonight.  Raphael delivered a compelling performance of "New Day Will Rise," leaving a strong impression on the audience. According to Songfestivalweblog, had the political circumstances been different, this entry might have been a serious contender for the Eurovision crown. As things stand, it's expected to resonate more with the public than with the professional juries, who may take a more cautious approach. Nonetheless, the song was met with enthusiastic applause in the arena, signaling strong audience support and suggesting it could perform well in the televote.

Social media commentary has been notably positive toward Raphael's performance, with multiple TikTok users praising the entry. Videos featuring clips from the rehearsal have garnered thousands of views and supportive comments, showing the audience applauding enthusiastically.

Raphael's message to supporters remains heartfelt, "Just to tell my people that I love them immensely, and there's no one like you in the world. I feel everyone's support, which strengthens both me and our team here tremendously. I have no greater honor than representing them."

The post Israel's Yuval Raphael stands strong amid protests ahead of Eurovision semi-final appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The Swiss police have arrested the pro-Palestinian demonstrator who threatened Israel's Eurovision delegation during the turquoise carpet event at the competition's opening ceremony, Israel Hayom has learned.

Jewish community representatives in Basel were informed of the arrest following concerns about the serious incident. Sources within the local Jewish community told the newspaper that the demonstrator was not a local resident but had traveled to the city specifically for the competition.

During the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, Israeli singer Yuval Raphael faced a threatening gesture from a protester, who mimed a throat-slitting motion. The incident occurred as Raphael walked the turquoise carpet, accompanied by a… pic.twitter.com/FLa0vMAGbM

— ILTV Israel News (@ILTVNews) May 11, 2025

The incident occurred on Monday when a young man carrying a Palestinian flag, who was participating in an anti-Israel demonstration, made a throat-slitting gesture toward the Israeli Eurovision 2025 delegation as they walked the turquoise carpet during their presentation. In response to the threatening gesture, members of the Israeli delegation filed a police complaint, and Swiss police officials later arrived to collect testimonies.

The young man has been arrested and brought in for questioning. Israel's public broadcaster will continue to monitor developments in the investigation with local law enforcement authorities.

The post Pro-Palestinian protestor arrested after threatening Israeli Eurovision delegation appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

One morning, when Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the Nova festival massacre, was a 6-year-old girl, her father gathered her and her younger brother to announce they were relocating to Switzerland. Within a short time, the family packed up their apartment in Moshav Pediya and moved to Geneva for three years. Now, 15 years after returning to Israel, Raphael will once again board a plane to Switzerland – this time as Israel's official representative at Eurovision 2025.

"After what I went through on October 7, my whole family sat together and remembered my childhood in Switzerland," she recalls. "During that conversation, I started crying for the first time after what I had experienced."

Why then specifically?

"Something suddenly opened up in me. This was long before 'The Next Star' was even on the agenda, and before anyone knew the Eurovision would be held in Switzerland. But it just happened, and in hindsight, things connected."

If I had told 9-year-old Yuval that she would return to Switzerland as Israel's representative, what would she have answered?

"Nine-year-old Yuval would have said it would have happened much earlier. At that age, in my head, I was already living in Hollywood. I told myself, 'You're going to be a big shot, something very big, and you're going to sing on massive stages.' Those were the years when I most believed in myself."

Scheduling a meeting with Raphael (24) is almost impossible, despite numerous attempts. In less than a week, she will fly to Basel to begin rehearsals for Eurovision 2025, which will take place on May 17 and will be broadcast live on Kan 11.

"I'm rehearsing around the clock," she shares. "I do vocal development four to five times a week, sleep with a humidifier that keeps the vocal cords moist throughout the night, so I wake up as fit as possible. I also do a lot of treadmill work to condition my body, because an accelerated heart rate takes more oxygen – and the entire song depends on oxygen, breathing, and air. I'm training myself to function with less, to simulate the situation as much as possible, like being on the Eurovision stage."

You're an excellent singer. Why do you need so much preparation beyond rehearsing the song?

"It's like asking a bodybuilder why they need to keep training. My entire life revolves around this right now. It really feels like a kind of Olympics that I'm preparing for. I don't think I've ever invested in or been dedicated to something like I am to Eurovision. I wake up with it in the morning and go to sleep with it at night."

You still have more than two weeks until the competition.

"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness. That's not a lot of time, it's no time at all."

With all the busy schedule, do you find time to enjoy yourself?

"I'm engaged in what I've always dreamed of and also knew I would do. All my life, I wanted to be a singer, for this to be my main occupation that I would work at. But remember that my first song in my career is a Eurovision song. It's not from zero to a hundred – it's from zero to a million."

Does that include breaking points?

"Of course, there are those. And that's where my mom enters the picture, and she knows how to stabilize me. My mom is the only person who can stabilize me in that moment. I'm human, and I also have fears and concerns. I know there's a lot of responsibility on me, and I don't want to disappoint. I know there's a lot on my shoulders, and I want to bring 100% honor, so they'll be proud of me."

How do you deal with the less pleasant moments?

"I like and also want to give space to my insecurities, not suppress them. I'm not one of those who put on bandages and wave positive psychology around. I give my fears space, because there's something much deeper here, and the moment I give space and time and expression to fear and concerns – I don't walk around carrying that energy outward."

Do you reach states of crying during the work process?

"Of course, it's a release for me. Even before what I went through on October 7, crying was the best tool for me to release. When I don't cry, I know I'm experiencing a kind of disconnection that isn't healthy. I used to seek out crying to release it outward and not keep it inside, so it wouldn't come back to me."

Since October 7, have you cried more?

"Actually, since then, at first, because I was in a very, very large disconnection, I cried much, much less. I was looking for the crying, wanted to encounter it – and couldn't find it. After what I went through, I can say that when you can't cry – you're not connecting, and for me, that's the clear sign of disconnection."

So perhaps it's more accurate to ask if, after October 7, it was harder for you to cry.

"Absolutely yes. And these are symptoms I don't want to be in. I don't want to be disconnected, but I want to uproot the problem from its root, so it doesn't come to me later in life as post-traumatic stress. After October 7, I looked for where I could cry, and couldn't succeed. For an entire month, not a tear fell. I simply couldn't."

Today, can you cry, let's say, because of a bad rehearsal?

"A bad rehearsal won't make me cry, but it will make me go home and do more rehearsals. I sing from a place of opening everything outward, and what scares me is not getting anything back. That's my concern."

Take me into your world, when there's a breaking point, you lose confidence and tears flow – what do you do?

"Action that isn't escaping, television, or Instagram. And after I've released, the alternative is to get up and do a rehearsal, or inhalation, or treadmill. In other words, anything that reconnects me to doing – and then I really reset from it very quickly."

"It fell on my shoulder"

What is Eurovision pressure compared to that morning, on that terrible Saturday, when Raphael went out with her friends to dance at the nature party in the Gaza border region, on the Simchat Torah holiday, and they found themselves fleeing from the worst massacre in the history of the State of Israel.

For seven hours, they hid in a small shelter near Kibbutz Be'eri, with Raphael lying underneath bodies and pretending to be dead, even after she was hit by shrapnel herself. She and her friends left there miraculously, but traumatized. "I had very difficult hours in the shelter. In order not to be murdered, I had to hide with bodies, and to get out of there, I had to step on bodies," she recounts.

"I'll say something that probably only those who survived Nova will understand, after you come out of such an event, you're full of guilt feelings. You ask yourself many questions, and the central one is 'why was I saved and not them?' After I made peace with that, I want to give my dreams a chance."

"It's something that stayed with me for a very long time. The moment I managed to release that feeling, I thought to myself, you received a second chance at your life, and in the end, you'll be afraid? What a disrespect that is toward those who didn't survive. I came to the conclusion that I need to honor what I received and fly with my life."

How does that manifest?

"Taking my life to the best place I can, and fulfilling all my dreams."

In the past year, Raphael has repeatedly told the story of her escape from Nova and the moments of fighting for her life. She remembers everything in detail, and when she doesn't have a busy schedule, she can tell it again and again, for long hours, with patience. Soon she will also tell it in English, to viewers in Europe, who may not be willing to lend an ear.

"I remember we arrived at the parking area in Re'im around 1:30 and opened a bar in the trunk, and we entered the actual party around 3:30. We set up our 'kanta' (a private area enclosed with embroidered sheets) and went dancing. It was fun at incredible levels, and I really must say it was wow. It was my first time at a big festival, and it was fun to meet people from everywhere, dancing with everyone in the open air."

You describe a feeling of euphoria.

"Euphoria is the exact word, until it turned into a nightmare. I was in the kanta when everything started. We were just filming a video for my dad, and two minutes after that the missiles began. I told myself, okay, we're in the Gaza border region, what did we expect would happen? We thought there would be a barrage, we'd hide – and go back to the party."

Still, stressful.

"I was one of those who wasn't scared of missiles, because I had the feeling that if something needs to happen, it happens. But Hadar, our friend, was in severe hysteria. She got everyone up and told us, 'Get yourselves out of here, we're definitely not staying here.' We took our things, and then I looked at the sky and saw stripes of missiles. The plan was to drive to a friend who lived nearby, but on the way, there were terrorists. We made a U-turn, saw a small shelter, and went inside."

No fewer than 60 Israelis crammed into the small shelter, hoping to get out alive – but only a few of them survived. Raphael is one of them. "We were inside. I sat next to my friend and next to someone else I didn't know. She held my hand and wouldn't stop crying. I calmed them both down and said, 'Listen, we're in a protected space, a few minutes, and we'll split up and go home.' But then the first shooting inside the shelter started, and when it ended, the first thing I saw was her head on my shoulder. She died on me."

"At this stage, I was on the phone with my dad, who told me to lie down and pretend I was dead. The terrorists entered and exited about ten times, while I was hiding under bodies. There were shots and grenades, and it was a nightmare Satan himself couldn't have created. I'm the only one in my row in the shelter who survived – everyone else was murdered."

There was someone else who was murdered and her body was lying on your leg.

"The body that was on my leg was my biggest trauma from the whole situation. Both in terms of the physical pain, and in terms of my inhumanity, because I hid using her. This stayed with me for a long time afterward."

Do you know who she was?

"Yes. Two weeks ago, I met with her mother, and it was one of the most important things I've done in my life. Because I carried so much guilt with me, and the last thing I expected was to close the circle with her mother. I thought maybe she would hate me, because there was a lot of inhumanity in the shelter, and I had to try to survive, and I used her daughter. Even without being a mother, I can understand her pain. I look at it through her eyes."

And how did she react?

"She heard everything I had to say, hugged me, and started crying herself. She told me she hasn't slept well for a year and a half, and wanted to know that her daughter didn't suffer, because every second there, in the shelter, breaks the soul. She had heard many rumors about her daughter's death, but had no tangible proof."

Did you know how to give her the details she was looking for?

"Yes. In one of the recordings with my dad, the first shooting had already happened, and I told him I had a body on me. I knew to tell her that before her daughter had time to understand what was happening there – she was already no longer alive. She didn't see atrocities and didn't suffer. I left there feeling like a building had been lifted off my shoulders."

In your group, everyone made it out alive, that's nothing short of a miracle.

"From that day on, all of us friends became inseparable. From morning till night. It's a shared fate. It's the only place where my battery gets charged, not drained. When I sit with people who weren't there, I expend energy, and they will never understand what I went through. With them it's different."

"Fears won't knock me down"

How could it not? October 7 changed Raphael's life. She entered the party as one Yuval – and left as another Yuval, determined to fulfill her big dreams. "It can't be that I receive life, and someone else doesn't. I felt there must be a reason. And after I received life, I knew I had to give a chance to every dream I have and everything I would like to fulfill myself in. To honor this gift I received. And second, what is the fear of failure compared to the fear of living again?"

What would you answer to someone who claims you made it to the competition because of Nova?

"My story is part of me and my life story, and the emotion I sing from is also related to what I went through. On the other hand, I made it to the biggest music show in the country, in prime time, alongside huge singers with incredible voices, and week after week, I went up and competed against them and won. I really believe I did something right, and that it has nothing to do with Nova. I am worthy, and I feel it. Long before Nova, I knew I would be a singer. I always believed this would be my career and that this is what was going to happen. Vocally, I always believed in myself."

Did you watch Eden Golan last year?

"Of course. You can see she worked hard and put all her heart there. Even when I talked to her, I understood how much she gave her hundred percent. I'm very proud of her, because she entered a situation she didn't expect, and handled it with the utmost courage. I really appreciate her, it's impossible not to."

Do you yourself understand the magnitude of the task?

"I understand the size of it, but there's also innocence in me, and I want it to remain part of me. I don't need to understand all the fears so they don't knock me down. I know what happened last year, and I take everything into account. I'm preparing for everything, but I also tell myself that there are things I have control over and things I don't. For the things under my control, I'll give a hundred percent. Everything that's not under my control – there's nothing I can do about it."

Are you prepared for encounters with representatives from other countries?

"I take everything into account. But in the end, my goal, what I'm coming to do, is to deliver a strong number, bring honor to my country, and do justice to the song written for me. I consider every possible scenario, and that expands even more my desire to open my heart to everyone. When it's harder, I want to give even more. There will always be those who love us and those who don't. We're used to that."

But not all of us are used to singing in front of hundreds of millions live across Europe.

"I think I've had the best preparation for this."

Even for people booing while you're singing?

"Then there will be booing. Again, there's nothing I can do about it. That's theirs. I'm still coming with the same agenda. And you know what? More than that, I think this is the kind of situation that will open my heart even more."

Recently, it was reported that competition participants created a group and left you out. Were you hurt?

"This whole story caught me by surprise. I didn't know about this group until the reports, and after I joined it, I discovered there were ten countries that weren't there at all. So I don't think it was something personal against me or against us."

Let's talk numbers.

"In terms of numbers, I'm actually very goal-oriented, I'm coming to take first place. I'm clear that it might not happen, but if you asked about numbers, I want to bring the trophy home. I want to bring Eurovision to Israel."

Do you think that's possible, despite everything happening around Israel in the competition?

"Against all odds, there's something in me that truly believes in victory."

I don't want to put negative thoughts in your head, but Eurovision is a complex event. Are you considering, for instance, a scenario where you don't advance from the semi-final?

"Everyone who knows me knows that I believe in the biggest cliché in the world, which is that what needs to happen – happens. I truly believe this wholeheartedly, and it gives me a lot of peace and satisfaction. Because even if it means the competition will end in a nightmare – I believe that's what needed to happen. In the same breath, I have no belief that something like that will happen, because I'm working too hard for it not to happen."

Are you in therapy?

"Not at the moment. The type of therapy I like is digging very deep into the wound, and I don't know how appropriate it would be right now to dig into the wound before Eurovision. For everything related to Eurovision itself, all the things surrounding the competition, I'm treated by my mother, who is a psychologist."

From your perspective, has dealing with the October 7 events moved aside for now?

"I've stopped everything in my life that isn't Eurovision right now, because I think you can't deal with both things together, it could clash a bit. These are two events that are too big, and also very unrelated to each other, so for a second, I've put it aside. I also feel that I'm in a good enough place to put it aside for a moment."

"Wore men's shirts"

As mentioned, Raphael was born in Moshav Pediya, and after her family returned from Switzerland, she grew up in Ra'anana. In high school, she studied theater and dance – from there, she remembers a traumatic crisis that prevented her from creating for many years, in fact, until last year.

"The principal noticed an area of my body that was more developed than the other girls, and commented on it. I was only 11. I remember she took me outside and told me I was required to buy new shirts."

For modesty reasons?

"I was never a provocative child, that wasn't my style. I had shirts like everyone else's, but she decided I needed shirts with a round, closed neckline."

Did you comply with the demand?

"The next day, when I still hadn't had time to buy new shirts, she sat me outside her office all day. She told me, 'You're not going out for breaks, not entering classes, and not moving from here.' Even the shirts I later bought didn't satisfy her. At some point, she started involving my dad in this whole thing, and it became a very big story – until I reached a point where I started wearing oversized men's shirts, large and loose."

Didn't you try to resist?

"There was something in me that wanted to rebel against the principal, but she put an idea in my head that wasn't there before, and from that point, I started judging myself much more harshly. If I did decide to wear something tight, I would put a sweatshirt over it – even in summer."

Did you stay in the dance program?

"I knew that if I quit, I would be giving in to her, so I didn't quit, but we would go on stage six or seven girls, and I would be anxious about people looking at me. Do you know anyone else who goes on stage and doesn't want to be seen? That was me."

An unpleasant experience as a teenage girl.

"Today, I can say I went through a full-blown trauma. It's an anxiety that has remnants in me to this day, even though I worked very hard to release that place. It still accompanies me." In the army, Raphael served as a border crossing guard in the Jerusalem area, and during that time her parents decided to divorce. "I grew up knowing that family is the most important thing in the world, and suddenly, when my parents wanted to break up, it was very surprising. But I was at a mature enough age to understand that if they weren't good together, it was better for them to separate."

Was the separation process accompanied by disputes and fights?

"They protected us very much, and hid from us what we didn't need to know as children. But I was already mature enough to accept it. By the way, we have a large extended family, about 60 people."

After all the residue, hardships, and insights that accompanied her life, Raphael came to Season 11 of "The Next Star for Eurovision" – and from the first sound she uttered, she captivated the judges' panel and the viewers at home. In Basel, she will take the stage with the ballad "New Day Will Rise," written by Keren Peles, and will try to advance from the second semi-final, which will be held on May 15, to the coveted final.

What did you think about the song when you heard it for the first time?

"Wow, I really loved it. Throughout the season, when I chose songs, I chose songs with emotion. Even if there were ones that vocally could have fit me more beautifully, I chose songs that would connect to my soul – and with 'New Day Will Rise' I felt that. There's such a strong message here that I want to express, both in terms of melody and music, and there's a lot of softness – exactly how I want to bring myself to Eurovision."

Do you have a sense of mission?

"I feel the biggest mission in the world. A mission to represent my country and represent my people, all the people of Israel."

Have you heard the songs from other countries?

"Some of them. In principle, I had this agenda of 'I'm not listening to songs' – but with Instagram and TikTok it's somewhat inevitable."

Know your enemies.

"Absolutely yes. But on the other hand, I need to work on my number, and that's what I'm focusing on. I'll know my 'enemies' at another stage. From what I've had a chance to hear so far, 'Espresso Macchiato' from Estonia is an addictive song at incredible levels."

What about betting odds?

"I don't follow them. Anything that could distract me and that I have no control over – I don't get into. I want the best result, and it won't help me to look at what place in the table I'm in at any moment. Right now, I don't know what place I am in the betting odds."

Currently, you're in fourth place. "

Nice. Imagine we were now in 15th place – so what, am I supposed to let go?"

If you were guaranteed fourth place in the competition, would you take it?

"No, I want first place."

"Desire to reach focus"

After recovering from the great disaster in the Gaza border region, and amid the busy rehearsals for the huge competition in Europe, Raphael also managed to find love – singer Ido Malka, whom she met on "The Next Star." "It comes when you least expect it and when your head is completely elsewhere, and that's what happened," she candidly shares. "We've been together for a bit over two months."

You'll have a beautiful story for your grandchildren.

"Our story began after the show ended, not during the season. Ido made some kind of move, and from there it all started."

Are you in love?

"Yes, I love him."

Do you have time for each other?

"Right now, it's mainly sleeping together and waking up together. The rest of the da,y everyone is in their own activities. It's nice that we know each other's world, and that there's an understanding of the whole situation. It's nice that I have experiences I can call him and share with him."

In Switzerland, will he watch you from the front row in the hall?

"No. I have all the desire in the world for him to see me in this situation, and to know he's in the audience – but the desire to reach focus and bring the best result is stronger right now."

You'll go up to sing while dozens of hostages are still in Gaza. Will this issue be expressed on stage?

"The hostages should have returned home long, long ago, and it's an issue that's very difficult for me. It's important to raise awareness, and I'll do that where I can, but we also need to remember that this competition has rules – and I respect them fully."

The post Yuval Raphael's emotional journey from Nova to Eurovision appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

A "Survivor" contestant made an extraordinary discovery during her participation in the show. In a dramatic twist that caught even seasoned reality TV producers off guard, a contestant in the Israeli production of "Survivor," Yana Berski, one of the show's most compelling participants, learned she was pregnant while filming in the Philippines – a condition that had persisted throughout her entire island stay.

According to a production source, all contestants underwent routine blood tests three weeks before filming commenced, with Berski receiving a negative result. However, suspicions emerged when she exhibited an unusual pattern: while other contestants experienced typical weight loss, Berski notably gained weight. Additionally, she missed her menstrual cycle, though this was initially dismissed as a natural response to the island's challenging conditions. Following her own suspicions, Berski requested a pregnancy test from production. The team promptly accommodated her request, and minutes later, received the confirmatory result. "Morning sickness and vomiting became part of her daily routine," the source revealed. "The situation was so unprecedented that it never crossed our minds as a possibility."

After the revelation, Berski was immediately transported to a Philippines hospital for comprehensive testing, which definitively confirmed her pregnancy. Despite being offered the opportunity to exit the show, she made the determined choice to continue competing. However, the story took a tragic turn. Upon returning to Israel, Berski experienced a miscarriage, with the harsh conditions during her early pregnancy likely contributing to the loss. This marks the first instance worldwide of pregnancy during "Survivor" filming – a situation typically prevented by strict casting protocols. When approached for comment, the Israeli Survival production team stated: "We do not comment on contestants' personal matters."

The post Israeli 'Survivor' contestant discovers pregnancy during filming appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Dani Levy, a name that resonates through the corridors of Hollywood's fashion elite, has long been an elusive figure for the media. Despite being one of Israel's most sought-after interviewees, Levy has maintained a strict policy of declining press engagements – until now. "Los Angeles is where I work, but Israel is my sanctuary," Levy explains, shedding light on her previous reluctance. "When I'm here, it's my escape from the spotlight. Every summer, I return to this paradise, free from the demands of work and interviews."

However, a serendipitous encounter and persistent persuasion have led to this unprecedented, in-depth conversation with the stylist.

From Rehovot to the Red Carpet

The architect behind some of the most influential wardrobes in the world was born 35 years ago to Ezra and Yona, emigrants from the Israeli cities of Rehovot and Ness Ziona. "We're a traditional family – I'm of Yemenite and Persian descent. My mother still makes jachnun," Levy shared, referencing the traditional Yemenite pastry. "My parents have lived in Los Angeles for decades but still struggle with English."

At seven, Levy's life took an unexpected turn when her family moved back to Israel for six years. "I went from a typical American kid to a student at an ultra-Orthodox school in Jerusalem," she reminisced. "Suddenly, my wardrobe consisted of long skirts, long-sleeved shirts, and socks with sandals. While the school wasn't my cup of tea, the spiritual connection I forged there has remained a constant in my life.

"My bat mitzvah was in Israel, and I maintained a religious lifestyle until I was 26. I observed Shabbat, and prayed regularly – this is why my Hebrew is still impeccable," Levy explained. "Even now, in the heart of Hollywood, I insist on kosher wine and meat. It's not always easy in my social circles, but it's important to me. In another life, I could have been a devout, ultra-orthodox housewife with eight kids in Rehovot."

Q: In your perception, are you more Israeli or more American?

"It's funny because when I'm in America I feel like an outsider, Israeli, and when I'm in Israel I feel American. You could say I'm half and half."

60 emails a day

Levy's fashion odyssey began two decades ago with a leap of faith – moving to Italy to study fashion design. After five grueling years, she made another bold move: quitting school and returning to Los Angeles, determined to break into the world of celebrity styling.

"The styling industry was just taking off," Levy recalled. "I became obsessed with Rachel Zoe's show, which gave a behind-the-scenes look at the process. That's when it clicked – I realized I could take clothes from designers, modify them, and turn them into something that matched my vision."

Q: How did you get your foot in the door?

"It was a grind," Levy admitted. "I had zero connections. This was pre-Instagram, so I scoured stylist websites and bombarded them with emails – 50 to 60 a day. I offered to work for free, just to get a chance. Eventually, I worked my way up to earning $200 for 22-hour days. It was intense, but it was my foot in the door."

The Kanye chapter

Levy's persistence paid off. Within months, she was working alongside stylists for A-listers like Chris Brown, Jennifer Lopez, and Justin Timberlake. But it was Kanye West who truly launched her career into the stratosphere.
"I was assisting Rihanna's stylist – another Jewish professional who really took me under his wing for two and a half years," Levy shared. "Whenever Rihanna flew to New York, I'd stay in LA because I'm not a fan of the Big Apple. During one of these LA stints, I crossed paths with Kanye's stylist. They were having issues, constantly at odds. Out of the blue, Kanye offered me her position and asked me to join his tour."

Q: I bet you didn't hesitate.

"I said yes immediately and suddenly I realized it was happening. But after two weeks, his former stylist wanted back in. Kanye, appreciating my calm demeanor, chose to stick with me and let her go."
How do you feel about his recent controversies?
"We're not in contact anymore, but it broke my heart. It still does. There's this track he wrote, 'I miss the old Kanye.' That line echoes in my mind constantly. I yearn for that version of him every single day. The opportunities he gave me were unparalleled. Who else would have taken a chance on me like that?"

Keeping Up with the Kardashians

It quickly became clear that working with one of the biggest stars in the world was just a stopover to the biggest star in the world – Kim Kardashian. "One day he told me that Kim was in her second pregnancy and not leaving the house, and asked if I could come dress her. I went, we met, and she was amazing," she recalled her first encounter with the star. "Her soul, her calmness, and her professionalism really reminded me of myself, we immediately connected, and I started dressing both of them. I remember I lost weight drastically, I was with them all day. They would just go out for ice cream and get photographed. She's the most photographed woman in the world, so I had no time to rest, eat, or relax, it was crazy."

Q: And when they separated, you stayed with Kim and left him?

"Yes, when they split up, I naturally sided with her and continued working with her. It was really uncomfortable for me because both of them were reaching out to me."

Q: I assume you're bound by confidentiality.

"Of course, they're my family, I highly respect them. They let me into their home, I'm with their children."

24 hours on Kim Air

They've been working together for nine years, and it's enough to watch the episode of Hulu's reality TV show "The Kardashians" where Dani forgets her passport and isn't allowed to enter Italy to understand the magnitude of Dani's influence and presence in Kim's life. For those who missed the episode, Kim is designing a collection for the first time in her career for the Italian designer duo Dolce & Gabbana, a collaboration that drew the attention of the entire fashion world.

It was then, at one of Kim's peaks in the industry, that Dani forgot her passport and wasn't allowed to enter the country. Throughout the episode, Kardashian talks about Dani's significance in her life and doesn't spare superlatives.

"I don't want this to sound arrogant, but we fly on private jets, and most of the time there's no issue with passport control," she recounted the event. "I hadn't slept all night, I dressed Kim and Khloe, we arrived in Italy, and then they asked me for a passport when getting off the plane, and I realized I didn't have it on me. I dressed Kim via FaceTime while I was on the plane.

"I stayed on the plane for 24 hours until they sent Kim's assistant to enter my house, take my passport from the drawer, and bring it to me. The whole time they didn't let me get off the plane, not even to the hotel. Kim left me her plane powered with the pilot and waitress until my passport arrived."

Q: How does the work process with her operate?

"I'm included in her schedule so I always plan everything in advance, and that's how I have time to design looks. Everything is planned and meticulous."

Q: Do you dress the children too?

"North, her daughter, has her own stylist, but she doesn't live in LA, so I often dress her, and it's so much fun, even more than dressing her mother. North is into Japanese style, and that's exactly my style, my whole house is in Japanese style, and my dog's name is Tokyo. I'm really in love with the whole Japanese approach and calmness, it's a really big inspiration for me. When I dress her, all my craziness comes out. With Kim, I can't always do that, so it's fun for me to do it with her daughter."

Q: You and Kim are very similar, both externally, in energy, and even your voices are similar.

"People tell me that a lot. Today, stylists don't just choose clothes, they dictate hair, makeup, really everything. I love her so much. I have the opportunity to work with anyone in the world, but I choose to work only with her. There's an elegance in her that can't be explained. You don't know what crazy life she has. If mine is crazy, imagine hers. And she maintains class and poise, our serenity is above all."

Red gown in India, sweater at the Met Gala

Q: Do you work with her exclusively?
"In my contract, I can work with whoever I want, but I prefer to work on one thing and give my 100%l. When Kim asks, I also dress her sister Khloe. Sometimes when Kim is photographed with other people, it can ruin the look, so for example, when she flies abroad with friends, I also prepare looks for the friends."
Every item you want arrives in a few minutes?
It's not that simple, because the real issue is that I often can't find exactly what I want. When I go to a store, I don't just pick up clothes and call it a day. I might leave with just one piece. I prefer to design everything from scratch according to my vision, and I don't compromise. For instance, the recent looks Kim wore in India were sketched based on my concept. I watched a lot of Bollywood movies, knew exactly what I wanted, and everyone was on board with my ideas."

Q: There was a bit of drama around that look. It was claimed that guests were not allowed to wear red because it's the bride's color.

"There used to be a rule in India that only the bride could wear red. Of course, I checked the rules in India beforehand, and they said that in modern India it's not a problem. So I dressed Kim in a red dress."

Q: Are you involved in the Met Gala looks?

"Yes, of course. The Marilyn Monroe dress that Kim wore was her idea, and it came from the museum as is. But for every other Met Gala look, I worked together with the designers.
For example, the last look by John Galliano was created from scratch. I took a reference from a dress he made in 1997 and mixed it with a sweater top from his show in Paris last year."

Q: Usually, designers don't like interference. Do they listen to you?
"To tell you the truth, I'm not a famous figure in the US, I'm very under the radar. Some designers don't know me, so Kim introduces us, and if necessary, she puts them in their place and explains to them that I'm the one who makes the final decision."

Q: What look of yours are you most proud of?
"The look we talked about by John Galliano from the Met Gala. There was a lot of criticism about the sweater top that was over the dress. People didn't understand the concept and it created a situation where half hated it and half loved it. I liked the drama around it, I understood that I had succeeded."

Q: Do you prefer that some people love it and some don't, or that everyone loves it?
"I don't care who likes it and who doesn't, I'm not doing it for them. Kim and I have looks that we love that people still don't understand, but we are in our own world. We feel that in the fashion world, we've reached a point where we're setting the trends."

Q: Has it happened that you chose a clothing item and after she posted it on social media, it sold out?
"Oh yes, all the time."

Q: You realize that you're deciding what we'll all wear.
"I'm just now kind of processing it all, and I don't take it for granted."

"I will never hide my Zionism"

Despite the sensitive nature of the topic in her industry, Levy remains one of the most vocal supporters of Israel, always raising awareness for the hostages in Gaza. The most notable instance was at her boss's Christmas party, where Levy arrived wearing the Hostages and Missing Families Forum necklace. "It was clear to me that I would go with the dog tag calling for the release of the hostages, that's who I am," she said.

Recently, it was reported that due to Dani's support for Israel, Kris Jenner is looking for her replacement and her dream job is in danger. "I've encountered this too," she said. "I don't know if it's true. I continue to do my advocacy and I'm still working with Kim, so apparently everything is fine."

Q: Were you stressed about this report?
"Of course, it's my job, but I will never hide my Zionism. I reached this place in my life in order to fulfill a mission and use my platform to do good. I won't forget who I am and where I came from, that won't happen."

Q: I see you have a hostage bracelet on your wrist.
"I love wearing it, especially abroad because people ask me what it is and I love getting into conversations and explaining."

Q: Many Israelis who haven't yet made it big abroad are afraid to post pro-Israeli content, and you, who've already reached the top, aren't afraid. You have a lot to lose.

"It really gets to me when people stay silent and don't speak up. I think about the hostages trapped in tunnels, screaming for help with no one to hear them. For me, speaking out is a no-brainer. I was here on Oct. 7. Like everyone else, I woke up to sirens in Tel Aviv. I rushed to the TV, saw the kidnappings happening, and felt the full impact of it all. I was right in the middle of it. You know, Kim was really worried about me. Even Christina Aguilera and many others I hadn't been in touch with reached out to check if I was okay. I feel like I've been given a unique opportunity to explain our side of the story to them."

Q: As part of your mission to represent us to the world, is it important for you to work with Israeli designers?
"Of course, I love to support them. We have the best wedding dress designers in the world here. When it comes to evening gowns, there's elegance and glamour, while in the US they prefer more princess-style dresses."

Q: Now you're in Israel. When she's on vacation, are you on vacation too?

"I'm in Israel for a month only because she's also on vacation. I arrived in Israel from Italy and thought I'd stay for a week, but I got addicted to the sea so I extended my stay."

"She knows everything about me"

Q: When did you last text each other?
"Today. She wrote to me, 'Wait, you haven't come back yet?' I forgot to update her that I extended my vacation."

Q: Are you friends in your personal life too, not just at work?
"Yes, of course. We're very close. At the end of the day, she knows everything about me and I know everything about her. Obviously, when there are some problems, you share everything with someone very close to you."

Q: So if she knows everything about you, does she know you're newly single?
"She knows everything about me."

Q: Would you like an Israeli partner?
"Yes! To tell you the truth, I'm only attracted to Israelis. I have a type, I like a look similar to mine, Sephardic, especially Moroccan."

Q: You're returning home tonight. The interview is taking place on Sunday, and there's still concern that the Iranian attack might happen today. Does that stress you out?
"No. I can't explain why. I've been here for almost the entire war. This Iranian threat has been going on for two weeks while I've been here. It already feels like part of life, there's no more drama or stress. With hostages trapped in Gaza, how can I worry about myself? I really appreciate being in Israel and I feel safe here."

Q: What surprised me most was your Zionism and patriotism. There are many people with far less status, and who are more Israeli than you, who are afraid to lose out because of it.
"I'm in this position only because I'm Jewish and I have a Jewish heart. That's the whole point, I wouldn't have gotten here if it wasn't for my faith, that's the truth. At the end of the day, I deal with clothes. Should I start crying over the wrong shoe? I don't have that in me, there are hostages in Gaza."

Q: It seems natural for you to collaborate with an Israeli fashion company.
"Yes. On this trip, I started talking with various people. It's going to happen, I won't talk about it yet, but it's happening. I'm looking for reasons to be here as much as possible."

Q: You've reached your peak. What's next?
"I already know. I want to design all the clothes I wear, everyday clothes, sportswear, and evening wear. I've just now opened up to talking with people about collaborations. I have a desire for something big. Kim gives me a chance to design with the biggest designers in the world, so why not do it myself?"

The post Kardashian's stylist 'will never hide my Zionism' appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Eden Golan, who represented Israel at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, is set to trade her stage attire for military fatigues.

The young singer, who achieved a commendable fifth place in the international competition, has received her first military summons.

Despite facing adversity directed at both Israel and herself during Eurovision, the young artist delivered a stellar performance with the hit "Hurricane."

On Sept. 19, Golan will take her first steps toward military service by reporting for her initial summons. Her unique talents are expected to be utilized within the IDF, where she is likely to serve as a performer, showcasing her musical abilities for fellow soldiers as part of the military's cadre of exceptional artists.

The post From Eurovision to boot camp: Eden Golan prepares for IDF appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

In a stunning medical rarity, quadruplets were delivered Sunday at Beilinson Medical Center in Petah Tikva, Israel. The 35-year-old mother, already a parent to two children, conceived naturally with minimal medical intervention, defying odds of one in 720,000.

The newborns – two boys and two girls – entered the world with weights ranging from 2.95 to 3.57 pounds. Medical staff promptly transferred all four infants to the neonatal intensive care unit for close monitoring and specialized care.

Quadruplet births are exceedingly uncommon, occurring in roughly one out of every 720,000 deliveries. In Israel, where annual births hover around 180,000, statisticians would predict a natural quadruplet birth only once every three to four years.

Advanced reproductive technologies have slightly increased these odds, with Israel now averaging one to two sets of quadruplets annually. To put this in perspective, twins appear in about 5% of births, while triplets occur in just 0.1%. The extreme scarcity of quadruplet births turns each occurrence into a headline-grabbing event, captivating both medical professionals and the public alike.

Prior to this birth, Israel's most recent quadruplets were welcomed in 2022 at Sheba Medical Center.

The post Quadruple surprise: Hospital witnesses rare birth appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Coldplay's current tour across major European cities has drawn large crowds of Israeli fans, who have accompanied the successful band despite the ongoing conflict in Israel. 

After the previous performances in Athens, where the Israeli audience chanted "Bring them home" referring to the hostages still held captive in Gaza by Hamas, Israeli comedian Guy Hochman embarrassingly attempted to storm the stage, resulting in a fall and a halt to the show, the band arrived in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, with their Israeli following.

Video: Close-up on the hostages' solidarity tag at Coldplay concert in Bucharest. Usage under Israeli Intellectual Property Law Article 27a

This time, the camera focused on an Israeli audience member wearing a tag expressing solidarity with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, formed by the families of the abductees. The image was displayed on the giant screens during the concert, as thousands of attendees cheered in support around her.

Throughout the tour, the Israeli crowd expressed their hope for the captives' return, even amidst the band's performances. The emotional close-up on the solidarity tag during Coldplay's concert in Bucharest served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing conflict in Israel and the widespread global call for the release of the captives.

The post WATCH: Israeli hostages' solidarity tag displayed to thousands at Coldplay concert appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Daniella Pick, the wife of acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino, is making strides in Hollywood. The Israeli-American producer and director Danny A. Abeckaser (Danny A.) is currently working on a new American action thriller titled, "The Perfect Gamble," in which Pick has been cast in the lead female role.

In the film, Pick will star alongside actors David Arquette ("Scream") and Danny A. in the leading roles. The movie, produced by Yoav Gross, will be shot in Israel and follows the story of two gamblers who are released from prison and open an illegal casino. Pick is set to portray the girlfriend of one of the two protagonists, who become entangled with the mafia throughout the film.

Galit Rosenstein, who cast Pick in the role, commented to Israel Hayom: "Daniella will play a significant leading female role. This is very exciting, and I am extremely proud. She trusts me to choose something suitable for her. She has a very meaningful part. I can tell you that you will be shocked; she will surprise everyone in a big way."

Rosenstein recalled Pick's reaction to the news of her casting: "She was very excited. She didn't give an immediate answer; it took some time. But in the end, it's worth waiting for good things."

The post Israeli wife of Quentin Tarantino, lands lead role in new action thriller appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.