AMY SPIRO
Israel's Noam Bettan celebrates qualifying for the grand final, during the first semifinal of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, May 12, 2026. (AP/Martin Meissner)
May 13, 2026, 10:51 am
Israel’s Noam Bettan advances to Eurovision final
Two activists reportedly removed from event hall by security after interruptions.
By AMY SPIRO
Israel's 2026 Eurovision contestant Noam Bettan. Photo: The Times of Israel / Yair Sigron
May 11, 2026, 10:57 am
Noam Bettan is ready ‘to enjoy the journey’
28-year-old singer, born in Israel to French parents, says his years of ‘Sisyphean work’ in the music industry have made him ready to shine ‘the light I have to give to the world’.
By AMY SPIRO
FILE: Eighties wonder Boy George reunites with Culture Club for a world tour that will stop in Tel Aviv on November 7, 2017 (Courtesy Culture Club website)
April 22, 2026, 11:33 am
Boy George backs Eurovision appearance amid Israel row
Boy George defends Eurovision appearance, cites ‘Jewish friends’ amid Israel backlash.
By AMY SPIRO
Yuval Raphael performs "New Day Will Rise" during the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland. Photo: AP Photo/Martin Meissner
December 5, 2025, 11:29 am
Israel cleared to compete in Eurovision 2026
The public broadcasters of Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia immediately announced that they would follow through on their threats to quit the competition in protest.
By AMY SPIRO
Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, representing Israel with the song, 'New Day Will Rise,' walks on the turquoise carpet next to the Basel Town Hall, with protesters' Palestinian flags behind, during the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel on May 11, 2025. Photo: Fabrice COFFRINI/AFP
May 12, 2025, 9:02 am
Yuval Raphael stands strong as Eurovision week kicks off
Israel's Yuval Raphael and her team have been met by protests and threats as Eurovision week begins, with Kan public broadcaster filling a complaint with Swiss police.
By AMY SPIRO, AFP and TOI STAFF
May 7, 2025, 8:39 am
A Nova survivor, Israel’s Eurovision hopeful is ready to ‘give my dreams a chance’
Yuval Raphael, who’ll represent Israel with New Day Will Rise, adopts a carefully apolitical tone ahead of the highly charged contest, saying "I’m 100% focused on my song"
By AMY SPIRO
Mamagama band members, from left, Arif Imanov, Asaf Mishiyev and Hasan Heydar. Photo: Tato Panahi
April 27, 2025, 9:18 am
Azerbaijan is sending a Jewish singer to Eurovision
Asaf Mishiyev, the lead singer of Mamagama, says he never faces antisemitism in Baku and offers support to Israel's Yuval Raphael: "We're proud of her and we hope she will shine".
By AMY SPIRO
From left: Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher (Courtesy)
January 19, 2025, 11:30 pm
Ceasefire takes effect after Hamas names the three women hostages to be freed Sunday
Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher to be freed on first day of truce after Hamas delayed list of names; will be met by IDF representatives, doctors, psychologists.
By Emanuel Fabian, TOI Staff and Agencies and AMY SPIRO
Demonstrators embrace each other after the ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas was reported, Tel Aviv, January 15, 2025. (The Times of Israel: Jack GUEZ / AFP)
January 16, 2025, 7:16 am
After 15 months of war, Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire-hostage release deal
Officials from all sides confirm agreement, expected to take effect Sunday; security cabinet is to meet Thursday morning to approve the accord.
By TOI STAFF, AGENCIES, Jacob Magid and AMY SPIRO
Gymnast Artem Dolgopyat (left) and sailors Tom Reuveny (center) and Sharon Kantor pose with their silver, gold and silver Olympic medals in Paris on August 4, 2024. (The Times of Israel: Olympic Committee of Israel)
August 12, 2024, 11:27 am
Brushing off threats and boos, Israel’s 7 medals mark its best-ever Olympic showing
With only muted anti-Israel sentiment despite heightened tensions, athletes bring home 1 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze medal from Paris Games and notch a number of other achievements.
By AMY SPIRO
Bilha and Yakov Inon. (The Times of Israel: Courtesy)
August 7, 2024, 9:49 am
Final unaccounted for October 7 victim died in onslaught, IDF confirms
Family long accepted that Bilha Inon was killed alongside her husband, Yakov, in Netiv Ha’asara; now military says ‘complex examination and investigation’ has verified her death.
By Emanuel Fabian, AMY SPIRO, Bilha Inon, Yakov Inon, IDF, Hamas and Gaza
Chaim Peri, Amiram Cooper, Yoram Metzger and Nadav Popplewell (from L to R), whose deaths in Hamas captivity were confirmed by Israel on June 3, 2024. (The Times of Israel: Courtesy)
June 4, 2024, 8:53 am
Israel announces the deaths of four hostages in Hamas captivity
IDF promises to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Chaim Peri, 79, Amiram Cooper, 84, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Nadav Popplewell, 51.
By Emanuel Fabian and AMY SPIRO
Eden Golan of Israel enters the arena during the flag parade before the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, May 11, 2024. (The Times of Israel: AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
May 12, 2024, 9:34 pm
Israel finishes 5th as Switzerland wins Eurovision in Malmo
Israel’s entry receives second-highest public vote after months of activists calling for it to be barred; Irish and Portuguese acts make small pro-Palestinian gestures on screen.
By AMY SPIRO
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on November 20, 2023. Photo: Yuki Iwamura/AFP
December 7, 2023, 12:01 pm
UN chief calls to investigate Hamas sex crimes
"There are numerous accounts of sexual violence during the abhorrent acts of terror by Hamas on 7 October that must be vigorously investigated," says UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
By AMY SPIRO, Jacob Magid and CARRIE KELLER-LYNN
Israeli hostages released on November 30, 2023: Top L-R: Siblings Bilal and Aisha Ziyadne, Ilana Gritzewsky, Nili Margalit; bottom: Shani Goren, Amit Soussana, Sapir Cohen, Mia Schem. Photo: Courtesy; combination image: The Times of Israel.
December 1, 2023, 10:18 am
8 Israeli hostages freed from Gaza at end of seventh day of truce
Two women returned in late afternoon, while six others released to Israel shortly before midnight; unclear whether ceasefire will be extended further.
By AMY SPIRO and TOI STAFF
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