From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Israel’s Noam Bettan performs at Eurovision over anti-Israel chanting
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAmy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
Israel’s Noam Bettan performs “Michelle” at the first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria.
Bettan and dancer Lihi Freud begin the song inside an enormous diamond-shaped stage prop, which opens up, allowing them to emerge and join four other backup dancers on stage for the rest of the song.
Some chanting of “Stop the genocide” can be heard on the live broadcast at the start of the song. Austrian public broadcaster ORF said it would not use anti-booing technology in the arena.
Bettan told The Times of Israel in an interview last month that he had been practicing to the sounds of booing to prepare.
“Thank you so much, toda raba,” he says after completing the song. “Thank you Europe, I love you.”
Voters in the countries competing tonight as well as those from all non-competing countries can cast their votes at esc.vote.
A combination of public voting and a panel of juries from each country will decide which of the 10 entries from tonight’s 15 contestants will advance to Saturday’s grand final.
יש מי שישמע ????????????
נועם בתן בביצוע המלא של #Michelle מחצי גמר אירוויזיון 2026 בוינה ???????? pic.twitter.com/Kvfhdk8fHN— כאן (@kann) May 12, 2026
The Times of Israel Community.