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Noam Bettan

Spectators watch the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Tel Aviv, May 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
August 12, 2026, 8:18 pm
Eyeing Israel’s near-wins, Eurovision to bar conflict-hit countries from hosting contest
Contest winner usually hosts the next year, but new rules appear aimed at Israel, which came in 2nd this year and last; EBU can still allow winning nation to host if safety assured
By Amy Spiro
Political correspondent Ariela Karmel joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's Daily Briefing. (ToI)
May 20, 2026, 2:36 pm
Daily Briefing May 20: Drama at Knesset as coalition plows ahead with legislation
Political correspondent Ariela Karmel discusses judicial overhaul legislation, while reporter Amy Spiro reflects on Noam Bettan’s second place at the Eurovision Song Contest
By Jessica Steinberg, Ariela Karmel and Amy Spiro
Noam Bettan from Israel, center, reacts as the points are awarded during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, May 17, 2026. (AP/Martin Meissner)
May 17, 2026, 5:02 pm
Defying predictions, Eurovision juries gave Israel a boost amid voting reforms
For 1st time, Israel didn’t win ‘rest of the world’ vote and it received fewer top rankings from nations’ voters than last year, but picked up jury points from 22 of 34 countries
By Amy Spiro
Noam Bettan from Israel performs the song 'Michelle' during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, May 16, 2026. (AP/Martin Meissner)
May 17, 2026, 3:13 am
Israel’s Noam Bettan finishes second at Eurovision as Bulgaria takes the win
‘Michelle’ propels Israel to third in the popular vote and its 2nd year in a row as the runner-up, as singer says he ‘tried to stay focused, I sang with joy, with a smile on my face’
By Amy Spiro
Noam Bettan from Israel arrives on stage ahead of the dress rehearsal for the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
May 16, 2026, 1:34 pm
Israel’s Noam Bettan prepares to take the stage at partly boycotted Eurovision final
Israeli delegation said to believe ‘Michelle’ could win the public vote; Finnish violinist-singer duo and acclaimed Australian star are favorites to take the contest
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Israel's Noam Bettan celebrates qualifying for the grand final, during the first semifinal of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, May 12, 2026. (AP/Martin Meissner)
May 13, 2026, 1:04 am
Despite anti-Israel chants in arena, Israel’s Noam Bettan advances to Eurovision final
Singer says boos were quickly drowned out by support and that he felt he was ‘just singing to Israel’; 4 activists removed from event hall by security after interruptions
By Amy Spiro
Israel's Noam Bettan and his backup dancers performing 'Michelle' during a rehearsal for the Eurovision on May 6, 2026, at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. (Alma Bengtsson/EBU)
May 11, 2026, 5:03 pm
Boycotts, beats and bling: Eurovision’s 70th edition kicks off in Vienna
With the focus once again on Israel, singers from 35 nations will compete for the top prize in the colorful contest, amid heavy security, expected protests and backstage tension
By Amy Spiro
Israel's Noam Bettan performing 'Michelle' with dancer Lihi Freud during a rehearsal for the Eurovision on May 6, 2026, at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. (Alma Bengtsson/EBU)
May 10, 2026, 11:09 am
Israel warned by EBU over ad campaign calling to support Noam Bettan at Eurovision
Eurovision director Martin Green says Kan broadcaster was asked to ‘immediately stop any distribution of the videos’ and it did so; Kan simply says it’s following contest rules
By Amy Spiro
Israel's 2026 Eurovision contestant Noam Bettan. (Yair Sigron)
May 8, 2026, 12:07 am
Facing a mixed reception at Eurovision, Noam Bettan is ready ‘to enjoy the journey’
28-year-old singer, born in Israel to French parents, says his years of ‘Sisyphean work’ in the music industry have made him ready to shine ‘the light I have to give to the world’
By Amy Spiro
Israel's Noam Bettan performs during his first rehearsal on the Eurovision stage in Vienna, Austria, May 3, 2026. (Corinne Cumming/EBU)
May 5, 2026, 9:08 pm
Vienna police bracing for protests and ‘disruption attempts’ at Eurovision next week
Song contest, where anti-Israel demonstrations have been a regular feature, begins May 12 in Vienna; police to ban drones, work with FBI and institute airport-style security
By Reuters and Amy Spiro
Protesters hold a banner and Palestinian flags as they take part in a demonstration against Israel's candidate during the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 opening ceremony in Basel, Switzerland, on May 11, 2025. (Stefan Wermuth / AFP)
April 18, 2026, 3:36 pm
Entertainment figures add names to letter rejecting calls to kick Israel out of Eurovision
Amy Schumer, Mila Kunis, Erin Foster, Matthew Weiner among those who say expulsion would be ‘inversion of justice’ as Israel responds to ‘greatest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust’
By ToI Staff
Noam Bettan in the music video for 'Michelle,' Israel's 2026 Eurovision song. (Screenshot/Kan)
March 6, 2026, 2:42 am
Despite war, Israel releases ‘Michelle,’ its 2026 Eurovision song
Song to be performed by Noam Bettan at contest in Vienna this May is largely in Hebrew and French, with one verse in English, and ‘touches on the whole spectrum of emotions’
By Amy Spiro
Noam Bettan, Israel's 2026 Eurovision contestant, poses for a photo in Neve Ilan, near Jerusalem, January 21, 2026. (Yael Abas Guisky/Flash90)
February 6, 2026, 7:30 pm
Noam Bettan to sing Eurovision entry co-written by last year’s contestant Yuval Raphael
Set for release March 5, song features lyrics in Hebrew, English and French and is said to be ‘a slightly different style’ from the ballads submitted by Israel for past two years
By Amy Spiro
Noam Bettan, Israel's 2026 Eurovision contestant, poses for a photo in Neve Ilan, near Jerusalem, January 21, 2026. (Yael Abas Guisky/Flash90)
January 21, 2026, 2:43 am
Israel taps Noam Bettan to represent country at 2026 Eurovision
Singer born to French immigrant parents says it’s ‘truly a privilege’ to represent Israel, likens having to perform before a hostile crowd at contest to ‘entering the lion’s den’
By Amy Spiro
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