Almost two weeks after the fulminant victory of the extrovert singer Netta, who won with the song “Toy” for Israel, the question mark is getting bigger, where the 64th ESC will take place? Just right after her victory Netta pointed out that the next ESC will take place in Jerusalem. The day after the Israeli premier has also admitted that it’s going to be Jerusalem.

Almost two weeks after the fulminant victory of the extrovert singer Netta, who won with the song “Toy” for Israel, the question mark is getting bigger, where the 64th ESC will take place? Just right after her victory Netta pointed out that the next ESC will take place in Jerusalem. The day after the Israeli premier has also admitted that it’s going to be Jerusalem.

Netta is living in the lively city of Tel Aviv with a big and open LGBT scene, where she has been a DJ in a popular discotheque. She has also won the ESC with a huge encouragement of the LGBT community in Europe. Therefore it would be logical to host the upcoming ESC in the city of Tel Aviv. There is a suitable arena.

On the other hand the holy city Jerusalem is being highly criticised as host city as the level of security cannot be guaranteed. The possible Pais Arena is closely located directly at the border to the West Bank. Furthermore the uncertain political stability does frighten a lot of people. Celebrating a huge ESC festival in the holy city with an enormous number of LGBT fans might cause some conflicts with the religious side of the Israeli capital.

The ESC should be a non-political event, but from time to time there are some vulnerable touch points, such as in Kiev with the Russian entry 2017, the construction of the Crystal hall in Baku 2012, etc.

Now rumours occur that the next ESC might not even take place in Israel, but in one of the countries, which came 2nd or 3rd, this would be Cyprus and Austria.
Normally the winning country is eligible to host the following contest. If that is not possible due to any reason, there are alternatives. In 1979 Israel has won with “Hallelujah” in his own country, but did not want to host the next year’s ESC in 1980, hence it was held in The Hague.

It’s still time to decide the host city or country, but the time is ticking for the preparations. All aspects must be taken into consideration, also in regards of hotel capacities, security and infrastructure.

In the past when Israel won the ESC it always took place in Jerusalem in 1979 and 1999 two times, and in 1980 The Netherlands took over. It’s going to be exciting how it all will turn out.

Netta, who won with the song “Toy” for Israel

Author: Bernd LemmermannEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Public relations, Editor, Journalist

About me:
As one of the founders of eurovisionlive.com I am responsible for the interviews with the singers and the editorial content. My passion for the Eurovision Song Contest exists since my early childhood. The exotic music, different cultures and languages have given a lot of inspiration to me. Since my very first ESC in Dublin 1994 I particularly appreciate the get together and friendship of all the nationalities and Riverdance was a thrill!