In a thrilling turn of events, Noam Bettan has been chosen to represent Israel at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, a decision that has stirred excitement and anticipation. This marks a significant shift in Israel's recent history at Eurovision, as the country has predominantly sent female artists for the past three years. Bettan emerged victorious on the popular talent show "Next Star for Eurovision," captivating both judges and audiences with his undeniable charm and powerful performances, set to take the stage in Vienna.
Noam Bettan, who hails from Ra’anana and is the son of French immigrants, was widely seen as a leading contender heading into the finale. His victory was celebrated by many, particularly as he triumphed over three talented finalists: Gal De Paz, Shira Zloof, and Alona Erez. Overcome with emotion after being declared the winner, Bettan expressed his determination to honor Israel on the international stage, stating simply, "I will do my best."
In a spirited interview with Guy Pines following his win, Bettan wasted no time in announcing his commitment to preparing for Eurovision, exclaiming, "Let’s go!" This moment is particularly meaningful for him; a decade ago, as a 17-year-old, he auditioned for the same competition but did not succeed. Since then, Bettan has cultivated a successful music career, amassing millions of views on platforms like YouTube and Spotify.
During the finale, Bettan delivered an impressive medley that included Amir Benayoun's "Nitzachta Iti Hakol" ("You Won Everything With Me") sung in Hebrew, alongside the French hit "Derniere Danse" by Indila. His specialization in soulful ballads combined with his refined and gentle on-stage presence left a lasting impression on both judges and fans alike.
The talent show, "The Next Star for Eurovision," aired on Channel 12 of the Keshet network, but the competition is now transitioning to KAN 11, the public broadcasting channel. The show’s hosts, Rotem Sela and Assi Azar, acknowledged KAN’s accomplishments in Eurovision, highlighting that in 2023, Noa Kirel secured third place with her song "Unicorn," and Eden Golan achieved fifth place with "Hurricane" following the outbreak of the conflict in the region. They also observed the remarkable achievement of Yuval Raphael, a non-professional artist who won audience votes last year, finishing second with "New Day Will Rise." These remarks come amid governmental efforts to challenge KAN's operations.
Amid the glitzy spectacle of the show, the hosts took a poignant moment to reflect on the previous year's somber events, remembering the tragedy of hostages taken by Hamas in Gaza. They honored the memory of Ran Gvili, a heroic police officer who lost his life during the conflict on October 7 and whose remains are still held in Gaza.
Israel has a storied history at Eurovision, having clinched the coveted title four times—in 1978, 1979, 1998, and 2018. The Eurovision Song Contest remains one of the most-watched television events globally, attracting hundreds of millions of viewers each year.
