Noam Bettan Meets with President Isaac Herzog After Winning Second Place at Eurovision
Bettan earned 343 points, while boycott campaigns and protests underscored the contest's split between jury support and a stronger public vote for Israel.
- At the start of the week, Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed Noam Bettan to the GPO, praising the singer's recent Eurovision Song Contest performance as more than 20 press representatives attended the event.
- Two days earlier, Bettan won second place at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, an achievement that occurred despite protest demonstrations against Israel, including boos and Palestinian placard and flag bearers.
- Members of the Israeli Eurovision team noted that performers from countries not well disposed toward Israel visited backstage to express admiration, as appreciation was voiced for the camaraderie and team spirit.
- Herzog concurred with the sentiment, admitting he cheered while watching the votes on television, and there was consensus that music serves as the best means of breaking down walls of animosity.
- Bettan reiterated his mantra about unity, urging everyone to keep loving each other despite stressful times, and he concluded his remarks by declaring "Am Israel Hai.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Eurovision Is Running Out Of Time
This weekend, history repeated itself on the unnecessarily pyrotechnic stage of Eurovision as singers from Israel and another country waited to hear which would be crowned the winner of the increasingly contentious song contest. In the end, the Bulgarian banger "Bangaranga" by singer Dara edged out Israel's "Michelle" by singer Noam Bettan. Last year, Austrian singer JJ served as a similar spoiler with his operatic "Wasted Love." Now Eurovision,…
Between the refusal of some to take part in a contest where Israel lines up with the sympathy of others for the same country, there is probably also place, among the factors explaining its success, for the expression of the weariness of those who see in the Eurovision competition only a competition of variety, and stingy to see it transformed into a political arena. ...
Jewish News Syndicate
J-WireHerzog hosts Israel’s Eurovision runner-up Noam Bettan in Jerusalem
Israeli President Isaac Herzog hosted Noam Bettan, Israel’s runner-up representative at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Monday, praising him for bringing pride to the Jewish state amid international hostility.Bettan was joined at the meeting by a delegation from the Israeli broadcaster Kan, led by CEO Golan Yochpaz. The event was conducted in Hebrew.“The people of Israel love you very much…
Israel’s Noam Bettan scores second place at Eurovision despite boycott campaign, Bulgaria wins
Israel’s Noam Bettan finished in second place in the Eurovision Song Contest final on Saturday night, with his hit “Michelle,” performing excellently despite an international campaign aimed at booting Israel from the contest. The tension was palpable as Israel took the lead during the public vote, holding first place until the last minute, when Bulgaria’s DARA scored 312 points, bringing her total to a whopping 516 points when added to the jury…
The music ended, but the message remained floating in the air of Jerusalem. Newly arrived from Vienna, the Israeli representative at Eurovision 2026, Noam Bettan, was received Monday by the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, at the Presidential Residence in Jerusalem. There, among smiles, applause and genuine emotion, Israel celebrated something deeper than a second place: it celebrated having managed to cross the political noise of Europe with …
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