Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev is considering holding an international event in New York City to celebrate Israel's 70th Independence Day, Hadashot evening news reported Sunday.
The ministry is reportedly looking into purchasing screen time to play a two- to three-minute video clip about Israel on the digital megascreens in Times Square that evening.
In addition, a lavish reception is reportedly being planned at a luxury hotel in Times Square.
The report said city dignitaries, diplomats, international delegations and representatives from around the world would be invited, and the hotel has already undergone a preliminary security tour ahead of the event.
According to Foreign Ministry sources, the estimated cost of the event would be between $3 million and $5 million.
"In days when the ministry is struggling over budgets, Minister Regev is spending money on a gala event whose contribution to the state is uncertain," a ministry source said.
The 70th Independence Day planning committee confirmed the details but stressed that nothing had been set in stone. A committee official said that if the cost estimates proved to be accurate, the event would not take place.
