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Betan said he feels a responsibility “to shout the voice of an entire country that isn’t being heard.”
By United with Israel Staff
Noam Betan, who won Israel’s HaKochav Haba (“The Next Star”) on Tuesday night, will represent Israel at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna.
In his first major interview since the victory, Betan said he views the role as more than a music competition, describing it as a chance to speak for a country he believes is being misrepresented abroad.
Speaking Wednesday morning on Kan Reshet Bet, Betan said he feels a responsibility “to shout the voice of an entire country that isn’t being heard.”
“As much as we try to shout, we see what’s happening in the world,” he said. “The lies and fake news make more noise than the truth.”
Betan added that Eurovision gives him a rare opportunity to reach millions with a different message, calling it “an amazing opportunity to shout the truth, our voice.”
Betan, 27, also framed his Eurovision appearance as a chance to unify people through music. “There’s a chance here to unite, to connect, to love, to make a celebration of love,” he said. “For me, it’s a crazy kind of mission.”
He noted that he is not entering the spotlight for the first time, saying he has spent years building experience on stage and learning how to handle public attention. Still, he acknowledged that representing Israel at Eurovision brings a new level of visibility and pressure.
Betan’s comments come as Israel’s participation in Eurovision remains politically contentious.
In December, the European Broadcasting Union confirmed Israel would remain in the 2026 contest after determining there was no basis to exclude the country. The decision followed internal discussions among member broadcasters and a vote on updated rules for this year’s competition.
The EBU reiterated that Eurovision is a contest between public broadcasters and not a political tribunal, and said Israel’s broadcaster Kan continues to meet the requirements for participation. After the decision, a number of broadcasters announced plans to boycott the event.
With Israel’s participation confirmed, the country is set to take the stage in Vienna, ensuring its voice will be heard loud and clear.
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