Netanyahu: Government won’t interfere in Eurovision programming

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will not interfere in programming when it hosts the 2019 Eurovision song contest.

“The government will act according to European Broadcasting Union rules. However, there are pending legal matters regarding Eurovision,” the Prime Minister’s Office says, including a court case over legislation that would separate the public broadcaster from its news division.

“The prime minister ordered the legal aspects of this topic be examined with the relevant parties before making a decision,” his office adds.

The statement comes after Netanyahu met with Communications Minister Ayoub Kara, Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev, Tourism Minister Yariv Levin and Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit regarding hosting next year’s Eurovision.