Italy: RAI Board Members Demand Palestinian Presence at Eurovision 2026

Italy: RAI Board Members Demand Palestinian Presence at Eurovision 2026

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Italian broadcasting officials have sparked controversy by demanding Palestinian representation at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, intensifying the ongoing global debate regarding the competition’s inclusivity and political landscape Three of the seven board members of the Italian national broadcaster RAI have officially approached Eurovision 2026 organizers in Vienna, demanding the inclusion of a Palestinian presence within the competition. According to the letter, the proposal suggests inviting a Palestinian artist for a special non-competitive performance, a move that deepens the existing tensions surrounding the event’s participation list. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); This appeal, recently reported by Italian media, surfaces amid growing domestic opposition to the current competitive lineup, placing the song contest at the center of a renewed political-cultural storm. Official Appeal for Palestinian Visibility in Vienna In their correspondence to the contest’s organizers, the three board members stated: “Palestine must be given a place on the stage in Vienna if we are not to undermine the...
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Portugal: André Amaro Says “Yes” to Eurovision

Portugal: André Amaro Says “Yes” to Eurovision

by Rachel Geron Comment Closed
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Who will represent Portugal at Eurovision 2026? After 13 contestants in "Festival da Canção" threatened a boycott due to Israel’s participation, André Amaro announces he will not boycott the contest. For the second time since the contestants of "Festival da Canção 2026" were announced, and about a month before the semi-final stage, another contestant has declared that he will not boycott Eurovision 2026. André Amaro joins Bandidos do Cante - the only act before him willing to represent Portugal on the Eurovision stage in Vienna, Austria. The contestants’ statements come after 13 other contestants in the competition announced that they would boycott Eurovision due to Israel’s participation. Only one contestant has yet to reveal their position on the matter. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A Reason for Unity According to Portuguese reports, André Amaro, who will compete in the first semi-final of the festival, confirmed that he is willing to represent Portugal at Eurovision if he wins the contest. As...
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Eurovision 2026 Betting Odds: Israel Leads the Table After Choosing Noam Bettan

Eurovision 2026 Betting Odds: Israel Leads the Table After Choosing Noam Bettan

by Ilay GaistNo Comments
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A day after the final, Noam Bettan strengthens Israel’s lead in Eurovision 2026 betting odds, despite online attacks and renewed calls to disqualify the country from the competition. Just a day after the final of "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026", where Noam Bettan was chosen to represent Israel at Eurovision 2026, the betting tables have been updated — and Israel maintains its top position. Noam Betan, who secured first place in both the judges’ rankings and the public vote, now leads the betting odds to win the Eurovision Song Contest with a slight increase in probability. According to the latest figures, Israel’s odds have risen from 10% to 11%, keeping the country firmly at the top even after the representative’s identity was revealed. This marks an immediate success for Noam Bettan, solidifying his reputation as one of the standout names early in the Eurovision 2026 season, even before the official song selection. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Global Reactions: Praise and Backlash Alongside the surge in...
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Noam Bettan To Represent Israel at Eurovision 2026!

Noam Bettan To Represent Israel at Eurovision 2026!

by Adiel Shtainmetz Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Noam Bettan has been chosen to represent Israel at Eurovision 2026. The contestant secured first place in the show "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026" after winning the hearts of both the judges and the audience at home. The song he will perform on the Eurovision stage will be selected by a committee and revealed in the next few months. Noam Bettan has been selected to represent Israel at Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna on May 12, 14, and 16, with hopes of securing Israel's fifth win in the competition. He earned first place in the television show "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026" after performing the songs "You Won Everything With Me" (By Amir BeNayoon) and "Dernière Danse" (By Indila). Bettan secured the top spot in both the judges' vote and the audience vote at home. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Gal De Paz Gal De Paz opened the finale with the song...
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Tonight at 20:30 CET: Israel Selects its Representative for Eurovision 2026!

Tonight at 20:30 CET: Israel Selects its Representative for Eurovision 2026!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Tonight at 20:30 CET, Israel’s “HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026” grand final will air live, where the country’s representative for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, will be chosen. Tonight (Tuesday), after a season filled with talented and surprising contestants, the 12th season of “HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision” comes to an end with a live grand final that will reveal who will represent Israel at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The final will begin at 20:30 CET and will be broadcast on Channel "Keshet 12", as well as on the channel’s website and app. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Competing tonight for the ticket to Vienna are Alona Erez, Gal De Paz, Noam Bettan, and Shira Zloof. Each contestant will perform a song of their choice, followed by the opening of the voting. The public can vote through the ‘KAN’ app, joining the judges in deciding which three contestants will advance to perform again. After the second round of performances, another round of voting...
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Euromix’s Choice: Who Should Represent Israel at Eurovision 2026?

Euromix’s Choice: Who Should Represent Israel at Eurovision 2026?

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Members of the Euromix editorial team convened to vote for the competing artists in HaKokhav HaBa 2026. Who should represent Israel at Eurovision according to the editorial team? The Israeli Eurovision national selection, “HaKochav HaBa 2026," is set to take place tomorrow at 20:30 (CET), featuring 4 contestants - Noam Bettan, Shira Zloof, Gal De Paz and Alona Erez. The winner of this local competition will represent Israel at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. In anticipation of this event, Euromix editorial team members gathered and voted to their favorites to win the national selection and represent Israel in Vienna. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Editorial Picks: Who Should Represent Israel? Avi Zaikaner: First Place – Gal De Paz The choice isn't simple - but in the moment of truth, during those high-pressure moments that Eurovision demands - I want someone with a rare voice, a stage animal who delivers an unforgettable performance, and a charisma that’s impossible to miss. You can...
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HaKokhav HaBa: Noam Bettan, Shira Zloof, Gal De Paz and Alona Erez Are the Final Four Contestants!

HaKokhav HaBa: Noam Bettan, Shira Zloof, Gal De Paz and Alona Erez Are the Final Four Contestants!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Shaked Solomon is the seventeenth contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. The final 4 contestants are Shira Zloof, Gal De Paz, Alona Erez and Noam Bettan. The grand final set to take place this coming Tuesday, January 20th, 2026. Full recap of Episode 32. In 3 days, the grand final of "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026" will take place, featuring four finalists. The winner of the competition will represent Israel in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th. 5 contestants remain in the semi-final, but by the end of tonight’s episode, we will know who will be the final 4! In this episode, each contestant performed a song of their choice. Joining the panel were the Eurovision commentators and representatives of the national broadcaster, Asaf Liberman and Akiva Novick. This time, the judges did not vote "in favor" or "against" during the performances, instead, they awarded scores ranging from 6 to 12 points...
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HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 31: Michael HarPaz Is the Sixteenth Contestant Eliminated From the Show

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 31: Michael HarPaz Is the Sixteenth Contestant Eliminated From the Show

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Michael HarPaz is the sixteenth contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. 5 contestants remain in the race, including Shira Zloof, Gal De Paz, and Noam Bettan. Full recap of Episode 31. In 5 days, the grand finale of "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026" will take place, featuring four finalists. The winner of the competition will represent Israel in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th. 6 contestants remain in the competition so far, but by the end of tonight’s episode, only the top 5 will continue to the semi-final. This episode was a Hanan Ben Ari special, with each contestant choosing one of the musician’s songs. Hanan Ben Ari met with the contestants and coached them for their performances. He also performed his song “Lo HaMeshuga HaYekhidi”, joined by the contestants in the final chorus. This time, the judges did not use the "favor" or "against" voting system during the performances. Instead,...
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HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 30: Nave Levi Is the Fifteenth Contestant Eliminated From the Show

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 30: Nave Levi Is the Fifteenth Contestant Eliminated From the Show

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Nave Levi is the fifteenth contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. 6 contestants remain in the race, including Shira Zloof, Gal De Paz, and Michael HarPaz. Full recap of Episode 30. Exactly next week, the grand finale of "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026" will take place, featuring four finalists. The winner of the competition will represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th. 7 contestants remain in the competition so far, but by the end of tonight’s episode, only the top 6 will continue. The judges did not vote "in favor" or "against" during the performances this time. Instead, they awarded each contestant a score ranging from 6 to 12 points at the end of their performance. The judges’ scores made up 50% of the total, while the audience’s votes comprised the remaining 50%. The two contestants with the lowest combined scores faced elimination — and the judging panel decided which...
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HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 29: Agam Hazan Is the Fourteenth Contestant Eliminated From the Show

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 29: Agam Hazan Is the Fourteenth Contestant Eliminated From the Show

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Agam Hazan is the fourteenth contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. 7 contestants remain in the race, including Michael HarPaz, Alona Erez, Nave Levi, and Noam Bettan. Full recap of Episode 29. In 9 days, the grand finale of "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026" will take place, featuring four finalists. The winner of the competition will represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th. 8 contestants remain in the competition so far, but by the end of tonight’s episode, only the top 7 will continue. The episode aired this evening was the second of two in the Shlomo Artzi special, in which each contestant chose a song by one of Israel’s leading singers, who also represented the country at Eurovision 1975 with his song "At VaAni". During the episode, the show’s judges performed Shlomo Artzi’s song “Lo Ozev Et Ha'Ir”. Toward the end of the episode, singer Amir Benayoun joined the judging panel, replacing Itay...
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