Israel’s representative for the upcoming Eurovision met with the fan community for an intimate conversation about the unique blend of Hebrew, English, and French, the Italian influences, and the human message he seeks to bring to the world’s largest stage.
Noam Bettan, Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026, is currently preparing for the professional peak of his life in Vienna, Austria. On May 12th, he will take the stage for the first semi-final, carrying with him the song “Michelle” that blends cultures, languages, and a great deal of emotion. At the annual event of the Eurovision fan organization, OGAE Israel, which was held in a warm and supportive atmosphere, Noam took the stage for a conversation with community representative, Shira Tal, to discuss the journey he has taken and what awaits us this coming May.
Watch the full interview: להחליף סרטון כשיהיה
Noam’s Playlist: Italy at the Top
Despite his busy schedule, Noam has already managed to follow the competitors who will stand alongside him on the stage in Vienna. “I’ve had a chance to hear a few, and honestly, I especially liked two or three of them,” he shared. “First place is Italy. They brought an amazing song this year, a different style, effortless, it feels very much like the singer themselves.” Besides the Italian boot, he also pointed out the Balkan neighbor: “Greece is bringing something very interesting.” He mentioned that his connection to the competition is not new, and that his longtime fans are familiar with the covers he has done in the past for the French and Dutch entries.
The DNA of the Song: Three Languages, One Emotion
One of the main questions raised in the interview concerned the artistic choice to combine three languages: Hebrew, English, and French. Noam explained that the song arrived with a “very clear DNA” from the KAN committee, but he emphasized his personal connection to the text. “I had the great privilege to step in and be a part of the lyrics to bring it closer to me and into my world,” Noam said. He complimented the creative team (Yuval Raphael, Inbal Paz, and Tzlil Klifi), noting: “They knew my DNA so well and knew exactly where to aim, and they hit the mark perfectly.” Noam also mentioned the work with producer Nadav Aharoni, who has accompanied him for years, which helped tailor the song precisely to his dimensions.
The Message to Europe: “I’m Not Coming to Be a Character”
When asked what message he wants to convey to viewers in Europe, Noam chose authenticity: “I’m coming to give the love I have for the world. Each of us came here with our own color, and we need to shine our shade with full power. I’m not coming to be perfect or to play a role, I’m coming to be myself, to be vulnerable and human on stage.” He added that for him, music is “medicine,” noting: “It’s important to me to provide light, compassion, and a direction toward standing back up.”
Secrets from the Room and a Memento from the Community
To wrap things up, Noam shared two surprising details: “I have an extra bone in each foot, which makes me one in a million,” he revealed, adding jokingly: “And I really, really love Ta’ami!”
At the conclusion of the interview, to the cheers of the crowd chanting “Israel, Israel,” the community leaders, Nir and Tal, took the stage to present Noam with a souvenir: honorary club membership and gifts from the community. Noam thanked them warmly: “Thank you so much for the love, you have no idea how much strength this gives me,” adding that he would hang the certificate in his living room.
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.
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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Writer and content creator at EuroMix, providing cultural insights into the world of Eurovision. Talor is a second-generation Eurovision enthusiast who grew up attending family viewing parties. The 1999 Eurovision, at just five years old, was the event that shaped his love for the contest. He holds a BA degree in Culture – Creation and Production, and his articles combine academic knowledge with a passion for pop and trash, appreciating humor and clever references in the competition’s songs. He specializes in cultural and social analysis, offering in-depth commentary.
Outside the Eurovision world, Talor works as an independent content and media manager.
