(live here with the music) - Harel Cohen, 24 years old from Haifa, passed all stages of the selections in the popular TV show "The Next Star for Eurovision, 2025". Against the background of the difficult period that the State of Israel is going through, Cohen says that participating in the program is a special opportunity for him to contribute his part to raising the public mood through his work and his immense love for music.
Harel, who lives near the place where a residential building was directly hit in the last round of fighting, admits that the war is indeed exhausting and affects him, like everyone else, but it did not stop him for a moment from making music on his way to fulfilling his dream: "The situation in the country only strengthened my decision to participate in the program," he says, and tells about the long and complex process that went through until he was accepted into the program.
Cohen explains that this is not an easy mental challenge: "At every stage you present new songs and wait for a message about success or failure. There are many rejections along the way and it certainly makes it difficult, but it is important to keep lightness and understand that the goal is not always to win, but to express something on television," he says
when "yes" comes
"I've been making music for years," says Harel, "it's a field that doesn't always give positive answers, so every 'yes' you get is an exciting moment." The artists who particularly influenced him are Avitar Banai and Bruno Mars, and now he is in the middle of working on a new album whose songs he writes, composes and performs, something that fills him with excitement and great hope.
My Life
Harel explains that this year, in light of the complex situation in Israel and the growing patriotic feelings, the decision to participate in the competition became especially natural for him: "I felt it was my time to take this step and participate in the competition Representationally, despite all the challenges that come with it," he shares. "Music is my life, and I intend to deal with music until my last day," he says and then adds: I am not a religious person, but when I make music I feel close to God."
My Haifa
Cohen speaks excitedly about the city of Haifa: "Haifa is a city with enormous potential," he says, "I would like musicians here to feel surrounded, to be supported, and for diverse platforms to be established to stop negative immigration." He points out the need for open stages and exposure to unfamiliar music, alongside investment in areas such as dance and theater. "Haifa is a stunning city, which combines quiet and noise, full of talented young people. This is the time to invest in young music, because there are amazing artists here who deserve to be heard."
musical leaf
Harel sends warm wishes to the contestants from the neighboring cities, Tirat Carmel and Nesher, and sends them "an olive leaf in the form of music." He expresses hope for the success of all of them and emphasizes the common spirit: "In the end, we are all musicians, and there is room for all of us to succeed together."
In conclusion, he says: "I hope that everyone who reads the article will hear my music and find something in it that will connect them."
We wish Harel great success in the competition and that he will represent our beloved city, Haifa, with honor and pride.
Lots of success to Harel. I really relate to everything that was said about the potential in Haifa. I hope that maybe this term we will start to see the beginnings of change in this direction that Harel is talking about
Incorrect and misleading title.
He is still far from the final.
frolic
Harel will be in the final
Pardon does no harm ⭐️