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Israel’s Noam Bettan secured second place at Eurovision 2026 despite a number of countries boycotting the event over Israel’s inclusion, citing the Gaza war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has congratulated Bettan for his efforts and told him he had the “gratitude of the entire nation,” while also commending him for standing “tall against those hollow verbal potshots.”
The buildup to this year’s competition had largely focused on the controversy surrounding Israel’s entry, with five nations – Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland – pulling out in protest.
It marked the biggest political boycott the show has ever seen.
The European Broadcasting Union announced in December that it had decided to allow Israel to remain in the competition in spite of mounting pressure to bar the nation over the conflict in Gaza and allegations that the Israeli government had influenced voting in previous editions of the event. Israel also finished second in 2025.
The EBU changed its rules in the wake of last year’s Eurovision final, banning broadcasters and contestants from engaging in promotional campaigns by third parties including governments.
On Saturday, Belgian broadcaster VRT said it was considering not participating in next year’s Eurovision competition.
“As things stand today, there is little chance that VRT will send an artist next year,” spokesperson Yasmine Van der Borght said, while also calling for a vote on which countries can participate.
“We expect the EBU to make a clear statement against war and violence and in favor of respect for human rights,” Van der Borght added.
Bulgaria comfortably won the 70th annual edition of the contest, which concluded on Saturday night in Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle, with its song “Bangaranga,” while Israeli contestant Bettan finished runner up with “Michelle.”
Bettan was met with both cheers and boos during the performance. Several hundred demonstrators had also gathered near the venue ahead of the grand final.
Austrian authorities kept streets around the Stadthalle open but kept a close eye on the demonstration as it made its way through the capital.
Security measures had been beefed up throughout the week, with police officers deployed from across Austria.