Eurovision 2019: KAN in favor of Tel Aviv while EBU asks guarantees by PM Benjamin Netanyahu
Time of truth is approaching , as the dates and host city for the next Eurovision Song Contest are to be announced very soon in the follwing days or even hours.
According to local media reports , KAN, the Israeli national broadcaster has recommended to the EBU that Tel Aviv is most appropriate to be the host city of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.
Specifacically, Israel Hayom reports that official of the Israeli national broadcaster, have opted in favor of Tel Aviv to be the host city of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019. Addionally, the newspaper mentions that EBU is waiting for KAN’s recommendations the following days.
Tel Aviv seems to be the front runner in the hosting bid race due to factors that can’t be ignored. The city has an International airport that is well connected with all the international airports while the same time has in disposal a large number of hotel rooms to live up to accommodation requests. Furthermore, the existence of a ready venue with 10.000 seats, the Convention Centre which is also known as the Fairgrounds, is a complex formed of various pavilions. Pavilion 2 which was completed in 2015 is the cities suggested venue for the competition. If you add to all above its modern transportation network justifies completely why Tel Aviv is considered this moment as a favorite to host next year’s Eurovision.EBU to PM Netanyahu : “Don’t interfere in Eurovision”
According to local media reports EBU has sent to Israeli Prime Minister a number of some requests that the PM must guarantee to be fulfilled in order the country to host the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.
(Photo: Haim Zach/GPO)
Specifically, Ynetnews.com has reported that EBU has sent a letter to PM Netanyahu that the European Broadcasting Union has sent a letter to the Israeli Prime Minister asking him to guarantee that the Israeli Government will not interfere in the Eurovision Song Contest . EBU requests that the Israeli Administration will secure that all fans visiting the country for the contest, will not meet any obstacles in entering the event due to their their political opinions, religion, or sexual orientation. In addition, preparations for the event must be allowed to take place during Shabbat.
On this last matter , EBU’s Executive Supervisor of the Contest, Jon Ola Sand , during his latest interview to KAN, referred to the issued “Sabbath” and how EBU is looking into that matter. According to Jon Ola Sand’s statement he ruled out the option of a break in the contest’s preparations due to the holiday of “Shabbat”. Clearing things he stated :
I regret to say there is no way Eurovision Song Contest can be hosted anywhere without having the possibility to work also through Saturday’s. It’s absolutely impossible and that’s paramount for us.
Israel will host the nexr Eurovision Song contest after Netta’s victory in Lisbon with her song Toy . The country has hosted twice the contest , back in 1979 and 1999 , both time in Jerusalem.
Is the game over for Jerusalem? Are we heading to Tel Aviv for next year’s event ? Stay tuned on the INFE Network and its regional sites to learn more on the next Eurovision host city and the dates to be held.
