Eurovision to be held in Tel Aviv — avoiding fears of a Jerusalem boycott

The two previous Eurovision contests to be held in Israel, in 1979 and 1999, took place at Jerusalem’s International Convention Centre.

It is also understood that Israel will host the event only on the condition that the government grants visas regardless of visitors’ political opinions and allow contestants to hold rehearsals on Shabbat.

The contest will take place at the EXPO Tel Aviv International Convention Center, with the final taking place on Saturday May 18, following two semi-finals.

The Tel Aviv-Yafo municipal government said: “The decision was made after an extensive inspection and evaluation of the city’s amenities and facilities.

“As agreed upon, The Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality will finance the venue.

“According to data gathered from previous host cities; around 20,000 tourists are expected to arrive in Tel Aviv and the city will gain an estimated of NIS 100 million in direct revenues.”

Shortly after Netta’s win, a series of meetings were held with Kan in which the EBU indicated Sweden, Iceland and Ireland were among those most likely to stage a boycott.

This summer, more than 25,000 Icelanders — or 7 per cent of the country’s population — signed a petition demanding that the event be held elsewhere “in view of the human rights abuses of Israel against the Palestinian people.”

Shortly after the 2018 event, Dublin Mayor Micheal Mac Donncha told the Dublin Live news site that he would support an Irish boycott of an event held anywhere in Israel, saying “I don’t think we should send a representative”.