Regev: If the Eurovision isn’t in Jerusalem, it shouldn’t be in Israel

As the country roils from the cancellation of the friendly soccer match against Argentina, Culture Minister Miri Regev said Thursday morning that if Israel can’t host the Eurovision in Jerusalem next year it should not host it at all.

Speaking to the Kan radio station, Regev said that “I will recommend to the government that the Eurovision — if it can’t be in Jerusalem — we shouldn’t host it.” The culture minister added that “It costs Israel NIS 50 million. It is designed to market the country. It’s a beautiful musical show that brings every country here…. I think personally that if the Eurovision won’t be in Jerusalem, it would be wrong to invest NIS 50 million of public funds. The State of Israel’s capital is Jerusalem and we should not be ashamed of it.”

Regev was reacting in part to unconfirmed reports from Wednesday that the European Broadcasting Union requested that the Eurovision be held in a “not-divisive location.”

But Communications Minister Ayoub Kara said on Thursday that there is no question the Eurovision will be held in Israel.

“I want to make it clear here, the same way I made it clear to [host broadcaster] Kan, that the government — and myself personally — do not have any political designs on the competition,” Kara said in a video message he posted on social media. In a sharp contrast to Regev, Kara said he intends to fully cooperate with and meet the demands of the European Broadcasting Union. “The Eurovision will be held in Israel. I will not let any official harm the manner in which the Eurovision is determined.”

Since Israel’s win at the Eurovision earlier this year, Kara and Regev have sparred over responsibilities and budget for next year’s contest. Kara did not mention Regev by name in his statement, but his message was a clear counter to the culture minister’s fiery rhetoric.

On Thursday, the Kan public broadcaster — which is slated to host the content — would not comment on Regev’s statement. Kan also would not confirm the report that EBU requested to not host the competition in Jerusalem.

Walla reported on Thursday that an EBU official said that four cities are being considered for next year’s contest: Jerusalem, Eilat, Tel Aviv and Haifa.

EBU officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Jerusalem Post. Late last month, officials told the Post that “no decision on the location or dates for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 have been taken. Work has begun on agreeing the specific logistics for hosting the competition, including where and when it will take place. The final decision will be taken by the host broadcaster in conjunction with the EBU and its members.”

Since Netta Barzilai brought a win home for Israel at the Eurovision earlier this year, Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that next year’s competition should and would be hosted in Jerusalem (as the 1979 and 1999 contests were). Generally, the host country holds a bidding process to determine the host city, though the capital is selected more often than not. Israeli officials have weighed hosting the game at either the Payis Arena, which can host about 12,000 people, or Teddy Stadium, which is much larger but is open to the elements and would need to be covered up for the event. But the host city and venue are rarely announced this early, more than 10 months before the competition is slated to take place.