The European Broadcasting Union, an alliance of public service broadcasters that organizes the annual Eurovision song contest, has asked Israel to find an alternative venue rather than Jerusalemfor the 2019 contest, citing the "politically charged" nature of the Israeli capital.
Israel won the right to host next year's contest after Israeli singer Netta Barzilai won the 2018 Eurovision in Lisbon, Portugal, with her catchy techno-dance tune "Toy." Every year, the contest is hosted by the country of the previous year's winner, usually in the capital city.
A source at the Kan Public Broadcasting Corporation, which is scheduled to air next year's contest, told Israel Hayom Wednesday that the EBU "has expressed serious reservations about holding the Eurovision in Jerusalem and has asked the local producers to try and find a venue that is less divisive and politically charged, so as not to cloud the competition."
The request is especially jarring as it comes on the heels of the decision by Argentina's national soccer team to cancel its final World Cup warm-up match against Israel following pressure from pro-Palestinian activists.
Israel Hayom has learned that at a meeting between EBU and Kan officials last week, the Europeans made it clear they would prefer Israel to consider a venue other than Jerusalem, so as to avoid political controversy.
Under EBU regulations, the capital city of a host country does not automatically host Eurovision, and major cities must compete in a tender for the right to host the popular contest, watched by over 200 million people around the world.
To apply, cities must demonstrate they have venues large enough to house the contest, enough hotels to accommodate contestants, an accessible and modern public transportation grid and proximity to an international airport.
The selection of the Israeli city to host the 2019 Eurovision is expected in July. The contest is slated to air on May 25, 2019.
Kan officials are expected to meet with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and with representatives from Ariel Productions, which the municipality contracts to produce large events, in the coming days to discuss the issue.
Political ramifications aside, hosting Eurovision in Jerusalem would substantially inflate the event's security budget, particularly since May is an especially volatile month in the city. Next year, the holy month of Ramadan begins on May 4, and on May 15 the Palestinian mark Nakba Day, which commemorates the displacement of Palestinian refugees during Israel's 1948 War of Independence.
The contest being held on a Saturday is also complicated in Jerusalem, where much of the population is religious and observes Shabbat. Ultra-Orthodox lawmakers have already issued a warning that they will not stand for the "mass desecration of Shabbat."
With municipal elections set for October, it is unclear who will be Jerusalem's next mayor and how the issue will be handled on both the local and national political levels.
Commenting on the potential implications with respect to the ultra-Orthodox objections to the contest, a local Eurovision expert told Israel Hayom that "hosting the Eurovision song contest in Jerusalem could blow up in our faces.
Addressing the haredi ban on men hearing women sing, the expert said, "Women will be singing in all the events and there will also be an opening gala attended by all the foreign ambassadors and the mayor, where all the contestants will walk down a red carpet in what will likely be provocative and revealing clothing.
"This simply isn't in line with the nature of the city. The Eurovision is too big for Jerusalem by several levels."
