Yuval Raphael

Louder than noise: Noam Bettan let music, not politics, define his performance - editorial

Israelis can take pride in Bettan, who represented the country with professionalism and restraint, blocking out all the outside noise to deliver a stellar performance.

|ByJPOST EDITORIAL
Israeli singer Noam Bettan, who represented Israel at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna and finished in second place, is seen after arriving at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, May 17, 2026.
Noam Bettan with dancers

Whatever happens at the Eurovision final, Israelis feel that Noam Bettan has already won

Bettan has spent the time between the first semifinal and the final enjoying Vienna with his backup dancers and rehearsing for his Saturday night performance.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
Noam Bettan, representing Israel attends the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest's 'Turquoise Carpet' event in Vienna, Austria, May 10, 2026.

Israel’s Eurovision contestant Noam Bettan greeted by cheering fans on turquoise carpet

Last year in Basel, a man got as close as he could to Yuval Raphael, the Israeli contestant, and mimed slitting her throat.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
Noam Bettan, Israel's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, poses in this undated handout photo.

After five countries quit Eurovision over Israel, over 1,000 entertainment figures push back

Over 1,000 entertainment industry leaders sign letter backing Israel’s inclusion in Eurovision, rejecting boycott efforts and emphasizing music’s unifying power.

|ByHANNAH BROWN

Eurovision: Switzerland once again bows to the conqueror - opinion

Switzerland, the neutral country, approves anti-Semitic riots in the name of "freedom of expression," but prohibits pro-Israeli demonstrations.

MAY 15, 2025ByANAT VIDOR
Yuval Raphael at Eurovision rehearsals in Basel, Switzerland, May 7, 2025.

New doc ‘Hurricane in Malmo’ looks at Eden Golan's Eurovision experience

Documentary about Eden Golan competing in the contest in Sweden last year.

MAY 14, 2025ByHANNAH BROWN
Eden Golan in ‘Hurricane in Malmo.’

Yuval Raphael keeps her cool at Eurovision's turquoise carpet

Raphael, who looked lovely in a flirty light-colored minidress, carried an Israeli flag past demonstrators screaming pro-Palestine slogans.

MAY 13, 2025ByHANNAH BROWN
YUVAL RAPHAEL walks the turquoise carpet on Sunday in Basel, while pro-Palestinian protests take place