Israel’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 Noam Bettan says he would prefer to perform a “happy, uplifting song” on the stage in Vienna.
In an interview with ynet on Wednesday, the 27‑year‑old singer said he will submit two songs to the selection committee that will choose Israel’s official entry for the contest. “You’re allowed to send two — so I’ll send two. One of them even has French,” Bettan said, adding cautiously, “I trust the committee’s choices.”
Bettan, who won Tuesday night’s finale of the reality show The Next Star, said he slept only “two or three hours” after securing the coveted ticket to Eurovision. “I’m excited, happy, overwhelmed, grateful,” he said. “I’m especially happy to bring pride to my parents. They’re passionate Zionists who moved to Israel when they had a good life in France. My mom cried a lot.”
Asked what from that conversation with his mother stayed with him, Bettan said, “She mostly cried, right? But she and my father told me: ‘Do you know what pride it will be for us to see you wave the flag of Israel at Eurovision?’ Giving them that joy and pride — for me, that’s extraordinary. Then she added: ‘Do you realize what an honor you have — to bring the world to Israel if you win?’”
Despite his young age, Bettan said he has extensive experience in music. He previously reached the final of the reality competition Aviv o Eyal and had earlier tried his luck on The Next Star.
Recounting an earlier setback, Bettan recalled an audition about 10 years ago when he didn’t advance. “I was very sad. I was a sensitive, introverted kid; it was challenging and not easy,” he said. “It was really frustrating. I went back to school, but I kept making music, playing and singing. I didn’t give up.”
Asked whether he ever thought he could win this time, Bettan said he focused on the process rather than the outcome. “From the start of the season, I didn’t look at the result. I was in the moment, focused on the task at hand. I know God was with me the whole way; I told Him to do what was right and true.”
Some say the public backed him from the beginning — and Bettan said he felt that support. “I felt a lot of love from the outside, and it warmed my heart. I wanted to deliver what I could. I tried to stay authentic and true, always remembering God was guiding things.”
Asked whether he followed concerns that Israel might not participate in Eurovision, Bettan said, “Yes, before the season I did — but I was in the peak of the season and didn’t have time to deal with it.”
In recent years, Israel’s Eurovision entries have faced booing from audiences, and last year Palestinian flags were waved in the arena. Bettan said he is undeterred. “I feel supported and safe. The teams at Kan and The Next Star and, of course, my people — who have been with me many years — are with me. I know I can rely on them.”
Asked whether he has the mental strength to handle Palestinian flags and boos, he said, “Yes, there’s an entire nation behind us. There’s no greater force than the people of Israel. The Israeli flags will be in the crowd — and that’s where I’ll put my focus.”
Asked if he thinks he can win, Bettan said, “With God’s help.”
Asked if he thinks he can do it, he added, “I believe it’s possible; I’m coming to do my best — and beyond that, I have no control.”
Bettan is set to compete in the first semifinal on May 12 in Vienna, broadcast on Kan. The second semifinal will take place May 14, followed by the grand final on May 16.