Huldai: Tel Aviv is most suitable to host Eurovision
Days before the EBU is expected to announce the competition's venue, Tel Aviv mayor sends letter to contest's supervisor elaborating why his city is the best choice of venue.
"The city of Tel Aviv will be honored to host the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Our beloved city has gained international esteem as an open city, a welcoming home to the LGBT community and many other minorities. Tel Aviv-Yafo is a global city that respects all people—residents and visitors," Huldai wrote.
"EXPO Tel Aviv International Convention Center is fully active on weekends throughout the year as it will be during the Eurovision, including Shabbat," Tel Aviv's mayor elaborated.
"Of no less importance, Tel Aviv- Yafo is a 'non-stop' city of culture and leisure offering regular weekend public transportation in the form of 'share-route' lines of minibuses on main transport lines, servicing all hotels and tourists.
"Therefore, we look forward with much anticipation to host the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv-Yafo," Huldai concluded.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is expected to announce in the upcoming days which city will host the song contest.
A Tel Aviv municipality official explained that Jerusalem would not be able to officially guarantee it would engage in activities considered as Shabbat desecration, raising Tel Aviv's chances of hosting the event, since it is to take place on Saturday.
Haifa was also suggested to host the Eurovision. However, its chances to be chosen are slim.
In an Ynet interview, Huldai addressed his letter in which he guarantees to provide all the conditions needed to host the Eurovision in Tel Aviv, including public transportation on the Jewish rest day.
"Tel Aviv is the most suitable city to host the event. The atmosphere on the streets, the food, the restaurant, the beach—all of them create the needed conditions to host the Eurovision.
"The Tel Aviv Convention Center is the most appropriate venue, providing the best condition for hosting (the Eurovision)," he opined.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has sent an official letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding him to guarantee the government would not interfere in the Eurovision preparations.
The EBU posed an additional two demands according to which Eurovision fans would not be banned from entering the contest based on their political opinions, religion, or sexual orientation and that the preparations for the contest would be held on Shabbat.
Addressing the aforementioned demands, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said Wednesday said in an Ynet interview, “generally speaking, our borders are open. However, if anyone tries to use this in order to hurt Israel, he would be stopped.”
“I will not accept Shabbat becoming a work day for social events organizers, since it hurts the working class. They will then have no rest days and will work seven days a week like slaves," Deri elaborated.
“The fact that recreational activities like visiting cafes, cinemas, restaurants and the Eurovision are taking place on Shabbat hurts me as a Jewish individual, but I know where I live," he lamented.
