Eurovision Song Contest

Israel’s Eurovision future at risk over KAN funding bill, EBU warns

EBU Director-General Noel Curran warned that a bill changing KAN’s funding could harm Israel’s global standing and threaten its future participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.

 View of the offices of Israel's public broadcaster KAN in Jerusalem. January 31, 2023.
Moldovan singer Vlad Sabajuc, aka Satoshi and representing Moldova with the song 'Viva, Moldova!', performs during the dress rehearsal for the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 (ESC) at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria on May 16, 2026.

Moldova broadcaster chief resigns after Eurovision jury vote sparks public backlash

Israeli singer Noam Bettan, who represented Israel at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna and finished in second place, is seen after arriving at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, May 17, 2026.

Louder than noise: Noam Bettan let music, not politics, define his performance - editorial

Noam Bettan with dancers

Who gave Israel the coveted 12 points? Noam Bettan secures 2nd at Eurovision thanks to public vote


Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez defends Spain’s Eurovision boycott over Israel’s participation

Sánchez sharply criticized the European Broadcasting Union over its decision to allow Israel to participate in the competition. He accused Israel of genocide and said Spain was taking a stand.

 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a plenary session of the lower house of the Spanish parliament, in Madrid, Spain, May 22, 2024.

Israel’s Noam Bettan takes second place in Eurovision 2026, Bulgaria wins

The winning song was "Bangaranga" by DARA from Bulgaria, and "Choke Me" by Alexandra Căpitănescu came in third place.

ISRAELI SINGER Noam Bettan, representing Israel with the song 'Michelle', celebrates in the artist's zone during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 (ESC) at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria on May 16, 2026.

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My Word: The sounds that drown out the music - opinion

Noam Bettan’s song “Michelle,” with lyrics mostly in French and Hebrew, is about a toxic love relationship. It might be symbolic.

NOAM BETTAN and the Israeli delegation celebrate after qualifying for the Grand final during the first semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna, on Tuesday. (

Writer of sitcom airing instead of Eurovision in Ireland calls boycott ‘disgraceful antisemitism'

“I did not give my permission for Father Ted to be used as a prop in an antisemitic political gesture. I object to it in the strongest possible terms,” Linehan writes.

Graham Linehan speaking outside Southwark Crown Court, London, after he had his conviction for damaging the mobile phone of transgender activist Sophia Brooks overturned following an appeal hearing on May 1, 2026.

Israel's Noam Bettan wins spot in Eurovision final at first semifinal

Bettan gave a dynamic, confident performance of the catchy song, surrounded by five female dancers, and it was selected as one of the 10 songs out of 15 that will advance to the final. 

Noam Bettan

'Death to the IDF': Israeli cafe in Vienna vandalized ahead of Eurovision semifinals

On one of the bathroom walls, the phrases "Free Palestine," "Death to the IDF," and "Boycott Israel" were written.

ANTI-ISRAEL graffiti on the Israeli cafe in Vienna.

Noam Bettan shines in Eurovision rehearsal as Israel faces antisemitism campaign

Bettan performed inside a rotating structure with dancer Lihi Freud, and the staging creates a dynamic visual effect using mirrors and poses.

Israeli singer Noam Bettan, representing Israel with the song 'Michelle', performs during a dress rehearsal for the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 (ESC) at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria on May 11, 2026.

Israel’s Eurovision contestant Noam Bettan greeted by cheering fans on turquoise carpet

Last year in Basel, a man got as close as he could to Yuval Raphael, the Israeli contestant, and mimed slitting her throat.

Noam Bettan, representing Israel attends the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest's 'Turquoise Carpet' event in Vienna, Austria, May 10, 2026.

Israel's Noam Bettan dazzles in second Eurovision rehearsal as FBI helps with security

At the same time, Austrian police said they were preparing for a week of heightened security both before and during the event.  

Noam Bettan poses for a picture in Neve Ilan, near Jerusalem, January 21, 2026