(Kveller) – Israel premiered its Eurovision entry last month, a rocking trilingual song about a woman named “Michelle.” The song, which will be performed in the international song competition on May 12 is by Francophone Israeli singer Noam Bettan, who was born in Ra’anana to French immigrant parents.
Co-written by last year’s Eurovision representative Yuval Raphael, the lyrics shy away from any national commentary like the songs of recent years, like Noa Kirel’s 2023 “Unicorn,” a feminist anthem that could also be about Israeli resilience, 2024’s “Hurricane,” about the emotional aftermath of October 7, and “New Day Will Rise,” sung by Raphael, a Nova Festival survivor.
“Michelle” is, instead, a classic ballad about a “toxic love” between the singer and the eponymous woman.
The song evokes both old French chansons and more modern music like Stromae — it’s emotional, lyrical and danceable. The French lyrics feature words many would recognize, like “adieu ma belle” (“goodbye my love”). And Bettan alludes to another French love song about a doomed love that was popular in Israel — “Aline” by Cristophe — when he sings “j’ai crié” over and over again, French for “I yelled.” The song also has that touch of Mizrahi music influence, with its signature vocal trills.
The 28-year-old won the reality TV competition “Next Star to the Eurovision” (“HaKokhav HaBa L’Eirovizion”) this January, beating out the amazing Gal De Paz who is known for her anthem for the hostages, “Bring Them Home.”
It wasn’t Bettan’s first reality TV stint — he previously competed in the show “Aviv or Eyal,” a music competition similar to “The Voice,” in 2021, where he made it all the way to third place. He’s also released multiple successful singles, including his songs “Buba” and “Madame.”
Bettan used his French skills during his latest reality song competition, covering famous contemporary French songs like Indila’s “Derniere Danse” and Stromae’s “Formidable,” and even incorporated French lyrics into well-known Israeli songs like Amir Benayun’s “Nitazcht Iti Hakol.”
“I’ve been making music for eight years and waited for this moment all of my life,” Bettan wrote about winning the competition on social media.
Israel’s participation in the Eurovision since October 7 and the Israel-Hamas war has had a deep impact on the competition. Both Eden Golan and Yuval Raphael were booed when they appeared on stage and faced increased security concerns.
Ahead of the 2026 contest in Vienna, 2024 Swiss winner, Nemo, whose family’s Nazi roots were recently exposed by local press, returned their trophy in protest of the country’s participation, and five countries — Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain — have announced they won’t be participating or broadcasting the competition if Israel competes.
Israel will participate in the contest’s first semi-final on May 12, and if Bettan moves forward, he will compete with the rest of the 25 finalists on May 16. The show will stream on Peacock in the U.S.
Be the first to comment on "Israel’s Eurovision song will be performed on May 12"