Eurovision demands Israel host event without political restrictions

Published: 6 September 2018

Last updated: 4 March 2024

Timing of call by organisers signals to Netanyahu government that its recent nation-state legislation has not gone unnoticed

Eurovision's demands should serve as wake-up call for Israel (Haaretz)
EDITORIAL Politicians in the government seem to live under the illusion that non-democratic measures such as the nation-state law would go unnoticed abroad

Eurovision demands Israel host event without political, religious restrictions (Times of Israel)
Organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest have reportedly sent a letter conditioning Israel’s hosting of the 2019 installment on a governmental guarantee that it will grant visas regardless of visitors’ political opinions and let contestants hold general rehearsals on Shabbat.

While the demands would seem standard and straightforward in the case of any other country, in Israel, they could force the government to change some current policies and possibly clash with ultra-Orthodox coalition members.

After representatives of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) toured the country last week for possible venues — naming Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Eilat as possibilities — its director sent an official letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the list of demands, Hadashot TV news reported Monday.

Photo: Netta Barzilai after winning the final of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon in May (AFP/Francisco Leong)