Israel at Eurovision 2026: Noam Bettan revealed the song “Michelle”, which he’ll perform on the Eurovision stage in May. Listen to the song.
“Michelle” is the title of the song to be performed by singer Noam Bettan, who will represent Israel in the second half of the first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, to be held on May 12 in Vienna, Austria.
The song was written by Yuval Raphael, Tzlil Klifi, and Nadav Aharoni – three prominent figures in the Israeli music scene, with Yuval Raphael, who represented Israel in the previous Eurovision as a singer. Noam Bettan also joined the list of lyricists. The Israeli entry for Eurovision was revealed this evening during a special broadcast aired on the Israeli Public Broadcaster, KAN 11. The show featured the song’s creators alongside members of the selection committee who chose Israel’s entry for the contest. Hila Korach hosted the event, and during the broadcast, Bettan performed with Yuval Raphael on “New Day Will Rise”. In addition, Eden Golan performed the song “Rise Like A Phoenix“. Afterwards, Noam performed his original song “H’ayom” (in English: “Today”), and after he performed together with Eden Golan and Yuval Raphael, the Israeli entry from Eurovision 2005 – “HaSheket Shenisha’r” (in English: “The Silence That Remained”) by Shiri Maimon.
The song Michelle is about choosing to break free from a toxic emotional cycle. It’s a story of growth and emotional maturity — a moment when the protagonist realizes they must let go and choose their new path on their own. Michelle, who doesn’t represent a specific real person, embodies the idea of an impossible love. The conflict between the attraction to this figure and the need to move on creates a very human — and also very Eurovision — kind of drama.
The choice of the name Michelle was made to create a universal character — a name that sounds familiar and natural across many languages and cultures, allowing every listener to connect with the story and their own “Michelle.” Despite its emotional weight, the song doesn’t stay in the realm of pain; it moves forward with rhythm and energy that express release and hope.
In the official music video, directed by Ofir Peretz, the viewer sees how Noam’s, Michelle’s, and the dancers’ emotions burst forth within a black, infinite space — framed by cold, brutalist concrete terraces. It’s a video that feels both deeply personal and intimate, yet also vast and universal, proving that sometimes the best way to deal with pain is simply to turn it into art.
Noam Bettan – Who Are You?
Noam Bettan is a 27-year-old singer-songwriter and the son of a family that immigrated from France. Batan has a deep, pleasant voice, and his musical style centers on heartfelt and vulnerable ballads in Hebrew combined with French, allowing him to showcase his impressive vocal abilities.
Batan first gained public attention around 2018 when he took part in the TV show “Aviv or Eyal” and finished in third place. Already in the first audition, he amazed the judges and audience alike with his original song “Madame“, which received the highest score of the entire season – 98%, immediately marking him as a favorite to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest. Throughout the season, he delivered moving and powerful performances that earned praise from the judges and from the audience.
Lyrics – “Michelle”:
(Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm)
(Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm)
מישל זו אהבה רעילה
אני באפלה
איך השארת אותי בצל
כוכבת בלי תהילה
משוגעת גדולה
אני קם ונופל
Oh Michelle
Je ne sais plus quoi faire
Tu étais ma lumière
Dieu j’t’en supplie réveille-moi
J’ai plongé dans le noir
Ramène-moi de l’espoir
Et ma mademoiselle
Alors je danse, danse avec les maux
Tu me verras rire, rire à nouveau
T’es ma douleur, j’n’étais qu’un décor
J’ai crié
Crié
Crié
Crié
Michelle
Je te laisse partir, adieu ma belle
Je te laisse partir, mais je t’aime
La reine des problèmes
Michelle, Michelle, Michelle, Michelle
(Aie-aie-aie-aie-aie-aie-oh-oh-oh-oh)
(Aie-aie-aie-aie-aie-aie-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Walking down
Florentin
Ocean eyes
Memories
I, I’m Losing my mind
An angel but is it hell
Trapped in your carousel
Round and round
Under your spell
Michelle
Je te laisse partir, adieu ma belle
Je te laisse partir, mais je t’aime
La reine des problèmes
Michelle, Michelle, Michelle, Michelle
(Aie-aie-aie-aie-aie-aie-oh-oh-oh-oh)
(Aie-aie-aie-aie-aie-aie-oh-oh-oh-oh)
ואולי בסוף
יהיה לנו טוב
מתפלל עלייך
שתזכי לאהוב
בין דמעה לדמעה
יש מי שישמע
יש מי שישמע
Michelle
Je te laisse partir, adieu ma belle
Je te laisse partir, mais je t’aime
La reine des problèmeѕ
Michelle, Michelle, Michelle, Michelle
(Aie-aie-aie-aie-aie-aie-oh-oh-oh-oh)
(Aie-aie-aie-aie-aie-аie-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Israel in Eurovision 2026
“Michelle” is the title of the song that Noam Bettan will perform, representing Israel in the first semi-final set to take place on May 12 in Vienna, Austria. The song was written by Noam together with Yuval Rafael, Tzlil Klifi, and Nadav Aharoni. The song is expected to be revealed in early March. Currently, Israel ranks fifth in the Eurovision betting charts.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Israel’s 48th participation in Eurovision. Israel joined the contest in 1973 and has won four times. Its most recent victory was at Eurovision 2018 with the song “Toy”, performed by singer Netta Barzilai.
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A writer and content creator in the field of Eurovision, a commentator with extensive expertise in the modern era of the contest. Adiel’s vast knowledge and familiarity with Eurovision are reflected in every article, ensuring professional and up-to-date content. He closely follows song releases and various Eurovision pre-events. Adiel has a fondness for cultures and new languages, which he discovered through his love of Eurovision. In his writing, he places great emphasis on professional commentary and a diversity of opinions.
