Eurovision
Noam Bettan at Turquoise Carpet event, 2026 (Photo by René Pudschedl / WikiPortraits via Wikimedia Commons)
May 17, 2026, 9:03 am
Israel’s Noam Bettan takes 2nd at Eurovision, buoyed by scrutinized public vote
It was the second straight year that Israel fell just short of a win.
By Philissa Cramer
Noam Bettan at Turquoise Carpet event, 2026 (Photo by René Pudschedl / WikiPortraits via Wikimedia Commons)
May 13, 2026, 9:45 am
Despite anti-Israel chants in arena, Israel’s Noam Bettan advances to Eurovision final
Singer says boos were quickly drowned out by support and that he felt he was ‘just singing to Israel’
By Amy Spiro
Israel's Noam Bettan and his backup dancers performing 'Michelle' during a rehearsal for the Eurovision on May 6, 2026, at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. (Alma Bengtsson/EBU, via The Times of Israel)
May 11, 2026, 12:51 pm
Boycotts, beats and bling: Eurovision’s 70th edition kicks off in Vienna
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
By Amy Spiro
Pro-Palestinian protestors demonstrate outside the office of Iceland's state broadcaster RUV on Dec. 10, 2025 in Reykjavik, Iceland. (Micah Garen/Getty Images)
December 11, 2025, 9:36 am
Iceland joins 4 other countries in boycotting Eurovision over Israel’s participation
Bjork supported the boycott move.
By Grace Gilson
Delegates leave the headquarters of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) after the first day of a two-day general assembly of the EBU, which organizes the Eurovision Song Contest, in Geneva, on December 4, 2025. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
December 5, 2025, 12:31 pm
Ireland, Spain, Netherlands to boycott Eurovision following failed effort to oust Israel
The European Broadcasting Union said a “large majority” of its members agreed not to vote on Israel’s participation.
By Grace Gilson
Yuval Raphael, representing Israel with the song "New Day Will Rise," parades during the flag ceremony before the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images via JNS)
May 18, 2025, 10:57 am
Israel’s Yuval Raphael takes second place in Eurovision
“I’ve never felt so victorious in my life,” said the Israeli singer and Nova massacre survivor.
By Steve Linde
Eden Golan (Photo by Haim Zach / Government Press Office of Israel via Wikipedia)
May 15, 2024, 1:26 pm
Israel gets top public vote from 14 countries in Eurovision – plus ‘rest of the world’
Voters in Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK give highest points to Eden Golan
By Amy Spiro
Eden Golan performs an emotional rendition of Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," surrounded by empty chairs representing the missing hostages, for her grand finale performance to represent Israel in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. (Screenshot via Mako.co.il)
March 13, 2024, 10:49 am
Israel will participate in Eurovision after its latest song submission is approved
"This year it is more important than ever that we stand on that stage and represent our country with respect."
By Jacob Gurvis
Noa Kirel singing as an Israel Defense Forces' military band soldier in 2021 (IDF Spokesperson's Unit; Public domain)
January 18, 2023, 3:48 pm
Israel’s 2023 Eurovision song entry: ‘Unicorn’
The song will be performed at the contest in Liverpool in May by Noa Kirel.
By JNS
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