Israeli actor Gal Gadot, the Hollywood star known for her starring role in "Wonder Woman," will appear in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Israel, organizers said on Tuesday.
Israel won the Eurovision in 2018 with a flashy pop tune called "Toy" by the charismatic, previously unknown singer Netta Barzilai, who dazzled viewers with her feminist lyrics, unconventional appearance and signature chicken dance. Her victory earned Israel the right to host this year's contest.
In Europe, capital cities have usually played host. But Jerusalem is not recognized as Israel's capital by most of the international community.
Israel held the Eurovision contest in Jerusalem without incident following its previous victories, most recently in 1999. Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev lobbied hard for Jerusalem to host the event again, saying Israel, and no one else should decide where the event should take place.
Yuval Cohen, the deputy executive producer of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, said in a statement: "After 20 years we are excited to host the world's largest music competition, in which 41 unique songs from different countries around the world will take center stage. A great deal of thought was invested in developing the lineup of the performances, with the aim of relating to the 200 million viewers watching across the globe and in the same breath bringing an Israeli experience to the screen".
The first semifinal will be held on May 14, the second two days later. The final will be held on May 18, with hosts Erez Tal, Bar Refaeli, Assi Azar and Lucy Ayoub.
"The final's broadcast in Israel will begin at 21:40 with a special broadcast developed by [Israeli singer] Yardena Arazi, 40 years after she co-hosted the first Eurovision Song Contest held in Jerusalem on March 31, 1979," organizers said in a statement.
