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Noa Kirel

The Israeli TV host Ofira Asayag (L) is secular but lit Shabbat candles on air in 2024, during the Israel Hamas war — reflecting a trend among Israelis. (Screenshot via JTA)
January 10, 2026, 4:31 am
How Oct. 7 changed the way Israel’s ‘somewhat observant’ practice Judaism
From tefillin pop-ups to Shabbat candle lightings, many Israelis — including pop stars and former hostages — have increasingly turned to religion amid the war: ‘Faith provided an anchor’
By Deborah Danan
Hosts Alesha Dixon, Graham Norton, Hannah Waddingham and Julia Sanina appear on stage during the final of the Eurovision Song contest 2023 on May 13, 2023 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, northern England. (Paul Ellis/AFP)
February 22, 2024, 8:53 pm
Discord with Eurovision over song choice could risk Israel’s spot in contest
Kan public broadcaster says it will refuse to switch songs if EBU disqualifes ‘October Rain’ from submission amid charges that its references to Hamas massacre are too political
By Amy Spiro
Noa Kirel poses for photographers at the European MTV Awards 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, November 13, 2022. (AP Photo/ Martin Meissner)
August 9, 2023, 4:23 am
Noa Kirel to make US concert debut at Madison Square Garden in 2024
Eurovision candidate will be second ever-Israeli to headline performance at 20,000-seat NYC arena, though she has sold-out bigger venues back home
By julia GERGELY
Simone Biles warms up at the U.S. Classic gymnastics competition Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, in Hoffman Estates, Ill. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
August 6, 2023, 11:10 am
Simone Biles begins comeback to the beat of Noa Kirel’s ‘Unicorn’
‘I feel really good about where I am right now, mentally and physically, ‘ US gymnast says after coming in first place overall in first meet since Tokyo Olympics
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Singer Noa Kirel poses at a press conference in Tel Aviv on August 10, 2022, announcing her participation in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. (Avshalom Sassoni/FLASH90)
May 26, 2023, 8:17 am
Poland says Noa Kirel accepted invitation to visit amid row over Holocaust remarks
Pop star had caused outcry in country, calling points she received from Poland at Eurovision song competition a ‘victory’ given that members of her family perished there in WWII
By ToI Staff
(R) United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni on January 18, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) and (L) Noa Kirel on September 7, 2022 (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
May 22, 2023, 1:02 pm
Outrage after top Haredi MK says he would donate clothing to pop star Noa Kirel
Arguing more funding should go to ultra-Orthodox children’s education, Gafni implies secular schools teach about pop stars and makes comment about her outfits
By ToI Staff
Noa Kirel of Israel during the flag ceremony during the Grand Finale of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, England, May 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
May 20, 2023, 3:51 pm
‘It’s painful for us’: Poland invites Noa Kirel for visit after Eurovision remarks
Warsaw upset at singer for describing the maximum 12 points she received from Poland at song competition as a ‘victory’ given that members of her family perished there in Holocaust
By ToI Staff
Noa Kirel (center) Israel's 2023 Eurovision contestant stands with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and his wife Sara Netanyahu, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, May 18, 2023. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)
May 19, 2023, 11:40 am
Netanyahu jokes with Noa Kirel: ‘You don’t want to see me dance’
PM quotes Eurovision contestant’s song ‘Unicorn’ during meeting after she finished third in contest, tells her she should have won
By Michael Horovitz
A viral selfie taken by popstar Noa Kirel (right) with Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Rimon on a flight to Tel Aviv in May, 2023. (WhatsApp screenshot: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
May 17, 2023, 6:37 pm
Plane encounter between singer Noa Kirel and top rabbi goes viral
Photo shared by rabbi’s daughter to social media resonates with Israelis, who see it as example of connection between two people from distinct communities
By PHILISSA CRAMER
Palestinian Hamas supporters take part in a festival in Nablus to support Palestinian terror groups in Gaza and the West Bank, May 11, 2023. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)
May 15, 2023, 1:39 pm
Daily Briefing May 15: Looking to rule the PA, Hamas sat out the recent Gaza conflict
Editor David Horovitz and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman drill down on reasons behind Gaza leadership’s perceived permission for 5 days of Palestinian Islamic Jihad rockets
By ToI Staff
Noa Kirel of Israel during the flag ceremony during the Grand Finale of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, England, May 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
May 14, 2023, 6:13 pm
Israel didn’t win Eurovision, but it did win the ‘rest of the world’
Noa Kirel’s ‘Unicorn’ received ‘douze points’ from nonparticipating countries’ audiences – able to vote for the first time – as well as voters in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Cyprus
By Amy Spiro
Noa Kirel of Israel during the flag ceremony during the Grand Finale of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, England, May 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
May 14, 2023, 2:01 pm
Daily Briefing May 14: Operation Shield and Arrow wrap; bittersweet Eurovision battle
Military reporter Emanuel Fabian on whether the IDF met its goals after 5 days of fighting, and where we go from here; news editor Amy Spiro on Noa Kirel’s 3rd place in Liverpool
By ToI Staff
Noa Kirel of Israel performs during the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, England, May 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
May 14, 2023, 2:25 am
Sweden wins 2023 Eurovision, while Israel’s Noa Kirel finishes in 3rd place
‘Unicorn’ propels Israel to best finish since its 2018 win with ‘Toy’ by Netta Barzilai, who was on hand in Liverpool to sing alongside other past Eurovision icons at grand final
By Amy Spiro
Drag acts perform during the second semi final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, England, Thursday, May 11, 2023. (AP/Martin Meissner)
May 13, 2023, 6:43 am
It’s Eurovision time: Here’s how the contest works and who to watch for
67th annual song contest’s grand finale to be broadcast live from Liverpool on Saturday night; 26 acts including Israel’s Noa Kirel to compete; Sweden and Finland among favorites
By Jill Lawless
Israeli soldiers block a road near the border with Gaza, southern Israel, on May 10, 2023 (Photo by Flash90)
May 10, 2023, 1:03 pm
Daily Briefing May 10: Broad political support for Gaza operation as tension mounts
Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian, political writer Tal Schneider and Knesset reporter Carrie Keller-Lynn discuss Shield and Arrow, likely response and politicians’ reactions
By ToI Staff
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