Bulgaria wins contest, but Israel’s powerful public support humiliates anti-Israel boycott campaign across Europe.
Bulgaria won the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, with Dara’s “Bangaranga” securing 516 points and delivering the country’s first-ever Eurovision victory. Israel’s Noam Bettan finished second with “Michelle,” earning 343 points and giving Israel its second consecutive runner-up result.
Israel received 123 jury points and a strong 220-point televote boost, showing broad public support despite political pressure, protests, and boycotts linked to Israel’s participation. Several countries, including Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland, boycotted the contest over Israel, but the final result showed that attempts to isolate Israel did not stop its success on Europe’s biggest music stage.
Noam Bettan’s performance of “Michelle” became one of the night’s defining moments, with Israel again standing near the top of the Eurovision scoreboard. Israeli leaders praised the achievement, calling it a proud moment for the country and a powerful display of national resilience.
Bulgaria’s victory was historic, but Israel’s second-place finish carried major symbolic weight. In a contest overshadowed by politics, boos, broadcaster boycotts, and anti-Israel messaging, Bettan’s success proved that Israeli talent, emotion, and identity could still command international attention.
Spanish broadcaster RTVE used its platform to display a political message opposing Israel’s participation, but the scoreboard told a different story. Israel’s result demonstrated that cultural boycotts failed to silence the country or weaken public admiration for its representative.
