Israel defies Eurovision pressure to claim second place
Israel’s Noam Bettan has finished second at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, after a campaign marked by boycott calls, protests and intense scrutiny of Israel’s place in the competition.
Bettan sang “Michelle”, an upbeat pop song in English, French and Hebrew. He finished with 343 points, including 123 from national juries and 220 from the public vote. The audience support briefly pushed Israel into first place during the results before Bulgaria’s Dara won with “Bangaranga”.
Noam Bettan takes Israel to second place in Eurovision 2026 (photo: x.com)
It was the second year in a row that Israel’s Eurovision result was lifted by viewers more than juries. In 2025, Yuval Raphael won the public vote with “New Day Will Rise” before also finishing second overall. This year, Bettan again drew strong audience backing, though Bulgaria won both the overall contest and the public vote.
Bulgaria won the 70th Eurovision Song Contest with 516 points, giving the country its first victory in the competition. Romania’s Alexandra Căpitănescu finished third with 296 points, while Australia’s Delta Goodrem came fourth with “Eclipse” on 287 points.
Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland boycotted this year’s contest over Israel’s participation, while anti-Israel demonstrations were held in Vienna during Eurovision week.
Bettan appeared composed on stage despite the tension around the contest. He performed early in the final, backed by dancers and a revolving diamond-shaped centrepiece, in a polished number built for Eurovision’s pop spectacle.
“Michelle” marked a clear change from Israel’s two previous Eurovision songs. Eden Golan’s “Hurricane” in 2024 and Raphael’s “New Day Will Rise” in 2025 carried the weight of the October 7 attacks and the war that followed. Bettan’s entry was lighter, centred on romance, movement and a catchy pop hook.
Bettan told Israeli broadcaster KAN after the performance that he felt he had given everything on stage.
“Wow, wow, wow. That was crazy; I felt more emotional than the previous times,” he said. “I felt good; I felt I gave 100% in real time. It was crazy, it was fun, we’re done now… I love you, Am Israel Chai!”
The European Broadcasting Union had faced demands to exclude Israel but allowed KAN, Israel’s public broadcaster, to compete. Organisers also changed the voting rules this year, limiting public votes to 10 per person and returning national juries to the semi-finals. Reuters reported that the changes followed arguments over organised campaigns after Israel’s strong public vote in previous years.
KAN was also formally warned over promotional material encouraging viewers to use all 10 of their votes for Israel.
Bettan, 28, is the son of French immigrants to Israel and was raised in Ra’anana. During Eurovision week, he was photographed taking part in Jewish religious observances, including Friday night kiddush.
Before the final, Israeli actor Gal Gadot sent Bettan a message urging him not to be shaken by booing. Boy George, who appeared this year with San Marino’s Senhit before their entry failed to qualify for the final, also posed for photos with Bettan and offered support.
Israel has competed in Eurovision since 1973 and has won four times, in 1978, 1979, 1998 and 2018. The result gave Israel another major Eurovision showing in a year when its participation was heavily contested.
