Jan Ola Sand and EBU gang have been to Israel to go through with KAN/IPBC the three proposals for hosting the Eurovision song contest in 2019. The choice is between fan favorite Tel Aviv, Israeli politicians favorite Jerusalem and outsider Eilat. We should know the decision shortly.
Eilat apparently has a plan a bit similar to Copenhagen 2014 to create the venue in the Port of Eilat in some old hangar or warehouse...? Jan Ola Sand stated EBU will not overlook the out of the box solutions if they only meet the schedule. There's always a risk though, ask Copenhagen that went well over budget and had some schedule issues as well but in the end it served its purpose wonderfully giving us one of the best stages ever - outside the venue was another story then, especially getting to the Eurovision Island.....
Eilat is Israel's southernmost town with a population of 50.000, and an important touristic spot between Negev desert and Red Sea squeezed between Egypt, Jordania and Saudi-Arabia across the gulf. Town's history goes back at least 9000 years... New Ramon international airport is due to open March 2019 (delayed already a few times though)
Update August 30, 10pm:
Eilat is out of competition KAN tweeted
Update August 30, 10pm:
Eilat is out of competition KAN tweeted
Front runner Tel Aviv is offering Convention center's Pavilion 2. Originally built in 1959 and expanded various times while the original part was demolished in 2010. Pavilion 2 has been renovated in 2015 and has the capacity of a little under 10.000. This year the pavilion hosted the 2018 European Judo Championships and likes of Lady Gaga have given concerts there.
Tel Aviv is Israel's second most populated city with its 444.000 inhabitants including also historic Jaffa where people have lived over 9.500 years and its natural port has been used already in the Bronze age. Later Tel Aviv grew around it and became the skyscryper filled modern city it is today, famous also for it's Gay Pride and beeing and international LGBT hotspot .
Jerusalem, that has hosted the Eurovision song contest already in 1979 and 1999 offers Pais Arena, opened in 2014 with the capacity up to 15.000. The previous host arena is way too small for the 2010's Eurovision. Orthodox jews are aginst hosting (as always) and even working on Sabbath seems to cause problems - that would include the final's two dress rehearsals.
Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and the holy city of three religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam and there's still the on going conflict between Israel and Palestine. It's population is a bit over 900.000.
Update August 30 9pm:
KAN tweeted Jon Ola Sand's comment that Eurovision works 24/7 for a few weeks and not working on Saturday is impossible.
Update August 30 9pm:
KAN tweeted Jon Ola Sand's comment that Eurovision works 24/7 for a few weeks and not working on Saturday is impossible.
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