Israel’s Noam Bettan qualifies for Eurovision final with song 'Michelle' amid mixed reaction in Vienna

Israeli Eurovision singer Noam Bettan qualified for the song contest final on Tuesday in Vienna, with his song “Michelle,” performed in Hebrew and French.

The head of the Israeli Eurovision delegation, Director Yoav Tzafir, praised Bettan’s performance and the largely positive audience response, despite some anti-Israel boos. “We are proud of Noam, the country’s diamond. Noam did not let the boos get to him. He is a true professional.”

Bettan thanked the audience and especially Israel and the Jewish people worldwide.

“Thank you to all the people of Israel. Thank you to all the Jews around the world,” he said. “Thank you for voting for me. I love you. Wow, I had an amazing performance. I enjoyed every moment. See you in the final.”

“I heard the boos, but very quickly I also heard people cheering us, making noise and lifting me up, and that immediately lifted my spirit,” Bettan added. "I really felt I was singing for the State of Israel. It sounds like the biggest cliché. I felt I was a vessel.”

Following the Israeli success in the semifinal, Israel’s Eurovision delegation director Yoav Tzafir set his sights on a potential victory in Saturday’s final.

“First and important mission behind us. Now we go all the way, for the Eurovision win,” Tzafir said.

“Noam deserves the highest place possible,” he added.

On Sunday afternoon, Bettan was greeted by fans at a Eurovision opening event in the Austrian capital, with increased security around him and the Israeli delegation due to anti-Israel threats linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

Israeli fans in Vienna later reported strong support from international audiences during the semifinal performance. “People from other countries sang the words by heart,” they said. “Everyone around us sang with us. There was a lot of support, not one boo. Everyone sang ‘Michelle.’ It was amazing.”

In addition to Israel, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Poland, Serbia, Croatia and Lithuania also qualified for the final. The second semifinal is scheduled for Thursday evening.

Israel has participated in Eurovision since 1973 and has won the competition four times: in 1978, 1979, 1998 and 2015.

Last year, Israeli singer Yuval Raphael finished second in Eurovision after winning the public vote. She is a survivor of the Nova Music Festival massacre on Oct. 7, 2023.