Following the ongoing rumours and speculation surrounding the forthcoming 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in the Israeli media, new reports have emerged in the local press stating that the Israeli government will not intervene in the contest’s production. National host broadcaster Kan officials are expected to have a meeting with the EBU tomorrow in Geneva.

Government will not intervene in contest production

The prime minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netenhayu, held a special meeting today with his ministers in order to discuss the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. Among those attending the meeting with the prime minister were the Minister of Culture Ms. Miri Regev, the Minister of Communications Mr. Ayoub Kara, the Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin and Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit.

Following the meeting, Benjamin Netenyahu said that the government would not interfere in the programming of the contest when the country hosts the event next year. Thus Israel will abide by the rules and regulations of the EBU when it comes to hosting the competition.

The Prime Minister’s office issued the following statement:

The government will act according to European Broadcasting Union rules.

This statement follows the controversy sparked after reports in the local media stated that Ms. Miri Gerev (Minister of Culture) had allegedly demanded that the national broadcaster should coordinate with the ministry in order organize the production and content of the competition.

It is now clear that the Israeli government will neither interfere in the 2019 Eurovision host city election nor in the content and production of the competition.

EBU-IPBC Meeting in Geneva

Israeli national broadcaster IPBC (Kan) will be reportedly meeting EBU officials in Geneva tomorrow, Tuesday 19 June, in order to discuss the preparations of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Israel. The broadcaster is expected to present the EBU with a total of four proposals from the potential bidding cities (Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and Eilat).

More details regarding the upcoming Eurovision edition are expected to be released hereafter. The EBU  is yet to determine the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest dates and host city.