Noam Bettan has won HaKokhav HaBa l’Eurovizion 2026 and will represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
The final of HaKokhav HaBa l’Eurovizion 2026 took place last night at the Neve Ilan Communications Centre. After several months of competition, the four finalists competed in the final. The results were as follows:
Gal de Paz – 2nd
Alona Erez – 4th
Shira Zloof – 3rd
Noam Bettan – 1st
The song that Noam will perform in Vienna will be selected by a professional committee. The chosen song will be revealed in March.
Since the beginning of the Gaza War in 2023, Israel’s participation in Eurovision has come under heavy criticism. Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain are all boycotting this year’s contest over Israel’s inclusion, marking the largest boycott in the contest’s history since 1970.
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest+
Israel debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973. The country was represented by Ilanit, who finished in 4th place with the song “Ey Sham”. Their first victory came in 1978 with Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta. Israel won again the following year with Gali Atari & Milk and Honey. Israel’s third victory came in 1998 when Dana International performed “Diva” in Birmingham, beating Malta to victory in a tense voting sequence. Israel struggled in the contest during the early-2010s, failing to qualify for the final from 2011-2014. However, since 2015 Israel has seen its fortunes turned around, qualifying every year except 2022. In 2018 Netta won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Toy”.