Noam Bettan has been chosen to represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, organizers announced Tuesday night at the finale of the reality competition The Next Star.
“I will do my utmost, everything I can to represent our country,” Bettan said with emotion upon his win.
Bettan beat three other finalists: Gal De Paz, who finished second; Shira Zaluf, third; and Alona Erez, fourth.
This year’s Eurovision will be held in Vienna, Austria. Israel is slated to compete in the first semifinal on May 12, broadcast on the Kan network. The second semifinal will take place May 14, followed by the grand final on May 16.
After selecting its representative, Israel must now choose its song for the contest. Under new rules by broadcaster Kan, Keren Peles — who wrote last year’s Israeli entry by Yuval Raphael — is not eligible to compete in this year’s selection.
Israel’s participation this year was uncertain after several countries objected because of the war in Gaza. In the end, a vote by the European Broadcasting Union approved Israel’s entry, but five countries — the Netherlands, Spain, Iceland, Slovenia and Ireland — withdrew from the contest.