Regev accepts Tel Aviv as Eurovision host, but says still ‘right’ to hold it Jerusalem

Culture Minister Miri Regev accepts Eurovision’s decision to hold next year’s song contest in Tel Aviv, but says she still believes it’s “right” to hold the event in Jerusalem

“As I said at the beginning of the process, I thought it it was right that Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, would host the Eurovision Song Contest,” she says in a statement. “Since the decision over hosting the Eurovision Song Contest has been made, I have no doubt that the State of Israel and the city of Tel Aviv will host the Eurovision Song Contest in the best and most respectful way possible.”

The government initially insisted on holding the popular event in Jerusalem. But following a backlash over the US recognition of Jerusalem as its capital and a subsequent fear of boycotts it dropped the demand. Israeli ultra-Orthodox leaders also demanded that the contest rehearsals not be held on the Sabbath, against Eurovison regulations that bar any type of religious restrictions.

— Raoul Wootliff