Israel 2019: Haifa ready to stand for Eurovision 2019
Israel’s third largest city, Haifa,the most important urban center, seems ready to announce an official nomination to host Eurovision 2019, as the mayor of the city stated.
Yona Yahav, Mayor of Haifa, confirmed to the local press that his city will also officially participate in the Eurovision 2019. Indeed, they have already sent relevant information to the Ministry of Culture and Sport.
“Haifa has everything it takes to organize the contest. It is a peaceful city, a symbol of coexistence, and it would be worth hosting Eurovision 2019 in every respect”.
The stadium proposed by the Haifa municipal authority as the venue for the competition is Sammy Ofer Stadium. It is a soccer field and has a capacity of 30,000 seats. For the tender, an enclosure is planned to be built, the cost of which will be borne by the municipality.
There is an air link between the city and many European countries, and it is also linked by rail to Tel Aviv airport.
This development comes after statements by Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev, who argued that if Eurovision 2019 is not held in Jerusalem, then Israel should not organize it at all.
Haifa is the third city to officially is interested in organizing the Eurovision 2019 after Jerusalem and Petah Tikva.
Within the month, Israel’s public broadcaster officials will go to the EBU headquarters in Geneva to discuss the venue and dates of the next Eurovision Song Contest.
