The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amy-spiro/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Sun, 05 Jul 2026 23:10:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Amy Spiro | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amy-spiro/ 32 32 Eurovision chief rules out another vote on Israel: ‘Membership spoke conclusively’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/eurovision-chief-rules-out-another-vote-on-israel-membership-spoke-conclusively/ Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:25:25 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3854776 Martin Green dismisses concerns about contest facing financial difficulties after anti-Israel boycott by 5 nations: 'We'll be around for many, many, many, many, many years to come'

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]]> Funny dynamic: German comedian finds Israelis have ‘the darkest sense of humor’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/funny-dynamic-german-comedian-finds-israelis-have-the-darkest-sense-of-humor/ Thu, 21 May 2026 23:20:47 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3827217 About to play a string of sold out shows in Tel Aviv, with a US tour to follow, Mario Adrion has built a career riffing on his Jewish wife and joking about taboo topics, including in his special, 'My Struggle'

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]]> Daily Briefing May 20: Drama at Knesset as coalition plows ahead with legislation https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-may-20-drama-at-knesset-as-coalition-plows-ahead-with-legislation/ Wed, 20 May 2026 11:36:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3827248&preview=true&preview_id=3827248 Political correspondent Ariela Karmel discusses judicial overhaul legislation, while reporter Amy Spiro reflects on Noam Bettan's second place at the Eurovision Song Contest

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]]> Defying predictions, Eurovision juries gave Israel a boost amid voting reforms https://www.timesofisrael.com/defying-predictions-eurovision-juries-gave-israel-a-boost-amid-voting-reforms/ Sun, 17 May 2026 14:02:16 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3825079 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

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]]> Israel’s Noam Bettan finishes second at Eurovision as Bulgaria takes the win https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-noam-bettan-finishes-second-at-eurovision-as-bulgaria-takes-the-win/ Sun, 17 May 2026 00:13:41 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3824861&preview=true&preview_id=3824861 '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'

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]]> Despite anti-Israel chants in arena, Israel’s Noam Bettan advances to Eurovision final https://www.timesofisrael.com/despite-anti-israel-chants-in-arena-israels-noam-bettan-advances-to-eurovision-final/ Tue, 12 May 2026 22:04:31 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3821847 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

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]]> Boycotts, beats and bling: Eurovision’s 70th edition kicks off in Vienna https://www.timesofisrael.com/boycotts-beats-and-bling-eurovisions-70th-edition-kicks-off-in-vienna/ Mon, 11 May 2026 14:03:16 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3820055 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

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]]> Israel warned by EBU over ad campaign calling to support Noam Bettan at Eurovision https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-warned-by-ebu-over-ad-campaign-calling-to-support-noam-bettan-at-eurovision/ Sun, 10 May 2026 08:09:50 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3820008 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

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]]> Facing a mixed reception at Eurovision, Noam Bettan is ready ‘to enjoy the journey’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/facing-a-mixed-reception-at-eurovision-noam-bettan-is-ready-to-enjoy-the-journey/ Thu, 07 May 2026 21:07:53 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3815479 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'

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]]> Vienna police bracing for protests and ‘disruption attempts’ at Eurovision next week https://www.timesofisrael.com/vienna-police-bracing-for-protests-and-disruption-attempts-at-eurovision-next-week/ Tue, 05 May 2026 18:08:02 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3817053 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

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]]> Slovenia says it will air Palestinian documentaries instead of this year’s Eurovision https://www.timesofisrael.com/slovenia-says-it-will-air-palestinian-documentaries-instead-of-this-years-eurovision/ Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:18:49 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3808465 Among 5 countries that withdrew from contest, only Iceland and the Netherlands will broadcast the 2026 competition, which kicks off next month in Vienna

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]]> These are the 20 people killed in Israel by Iranian ballistic missile attacks https://www.timesofisrael.com/these-are-the-20-people-killed-in-israel-by-iranian-ballistic-missile-attacks/ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:19:04 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3798722 An entire family wiped out in Haifa, three teenage siblings killed in Beit Shemesh, several immigrants and two foreign workers among those slain during 40 days of fighting

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]]> In shadow of war, Israel’s Winter Paralympian is ready to ski – but not on Shabbat https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-shadow-of-war-israels-winter-paralympian-is-ready-to-ski-but-not-on-shabbat/ Fri, 06 Mar 2026 02:07:58 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3769006 Sheina Vaspi to skip two events at 2026 Milano Cortina Games due to Shabbat observance, but vows to ensure Israeli flag flies at Paralympic Games

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]]> Despite war, Israel releases ‘Michelle,’ its 2026 Eurovision song https://www.timesofisrael.com/despite-war-israel-releases-michelle-its-2026-eurovision-song/ Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:42:00 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3769590 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'

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]]> Israel limps away from Winter Olympics overshadowed by bobsleigh team’s drama https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-limps-away-from-winter-olympics-overshadowed-by-bobsleigh-teams-drama/ Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:42:12 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3759452 After scrappy group fought for years for a spot on the Olympic stage, its legacy is tainted by disqualification, and the whole delegation's accomplishments at the Games have been swallowed up

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