"Why Footballers and Not Singers?" Belgian Star Essyla Defends Israel’s Eurovision Participation
Belgium’s Eurovision 2026 star Essyla defends Israel’s Noam Bettan against boycott calls, slamming double standards in sports vs. music. Here's why she believes the 'musical family' should stay united in Vienna.
The controversy surrounding Eurovision 2026 continues to escalate, but not all artists are bowing to boycott calls. Essyla, who will represent Belgium in the first semi-final with the song "Dancing on the Ice," provided a staunch defense of Israel’s participation in a recent interview with the Flemish broadcaster VRT.
The "Universal Language" of Music
Speaking against the backdrop of intense political pressure in Belgium to boycott the event, Essyla refused to hesitate. "I understand the different opinions, but for me, this is still one big musical family united by one language," the singer stated.
She specifically targeted what she described as a "double standard" between the worlds of culture and sports:
"This competition is a meeting point for artists who have no other opportunity to experience something like this. After all, nobody asks football players if they are involved in a war or if they are losing sleep over it before they step onto the pitch."
A History of Professionalism
For Israeli Eurovision fans, Essyla is a familiar name. She served on the Belgian professional jury during the turbulent 2024 Eurovision in Malmö. Despite an exceptionally hostile atmosphere that year, she was among the professional voices who chose to award points to Israel’s Eden Golan, signaling even then her preference for artistic merit over political dictates.
Back-to-Back in Vienna
Her statements carry extra weight given the performance lineup for the first semi-final in Vienna. Israel’s representative, Noam Bettan, is set to perform as song number 10. Immediately following a guest performance by Germany's Sarah Engels, Essyla will take the stage as song number 11.
This sequence means the Belgian star will perform right after the Israeli entry, underscoring her message of musical unity across borders and conflicts.
Embarrassment for the Broadcaster
Essyla’s candid remarks have created an awkward situation for the Flemish network VRT, which has recently taken a radical editorial line regarding Israel’s participation. This year, the responsibility for selecting the Belgian representative fell to the French-speaking network (RTBF) as part of their annual rotation. Their choice of Essyla has resulted in a representative who promotes reconciliation and a focus on pure art.
In Vienna, performing on the "thin ice" of the world's largest stage, Essyla and Noam Bettan will aim to prove that music remains stronger than politics.