A government official says Israel won’t be acquiescing to public broadcaster Kan’s demand that the state fund NIS 110 million ($29.6 million) of the NIS 170 million ($45.7 million) cost of hosting the Eurovision song contest next year.
The statement, reported by Hadashot television news, could mean Israel won’t be hosting the pop music contest.
Kan is also asking the government to supply the 12 million euros ($13.7 million) in guarantees demanded by Eurovision organizers.
Earlier today, Kan’s chairman Gil Omer sent the latest in a series of letters to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other ministers warning that if the money wasn’t made available by the government, Israel would lose the hosting rights to one of the biggest shows on the European cultural calendar.
Omer also warned that if a decision wasn’t made by Tuesday, within 48 hours of sending his letter, Eurovision might move on regardless.
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