Yesterday we brought you the breaking news that the EBU had written to Israeli Prime Minster, Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that there were several demands it would place on the host country including allowing work to take place on the Shabbat, to make sure international fans can attend and to ensure no discrimination takes place.

Today the Jerusalem Post has reported on both the reaction of the receipt of the letter from Israeli politicians and also on some rumours from the Israel Hayom newspaper about the host city.

Reaction to the letter

As you can probably guess there was some strong reaction to the EBU’s list of demands, including:

• Public Security Minister, Gilad Erdan

I don’t understand how the EBU has the gall to come set these ridiculous demands, Every democratic nation has the right to set what foreigners enter its territory, and those who seek to harm it – of course Israel won’t allow them in. The prime minister will not accept these delusional conditions.

• Tourism Minister, Yariv Levin

I think the EBU’s demands need to be the same as they are for any other nation. If they’re different, then it is definitely unacceptable. If they’re the same, we need to find a way to work with it. I hope that KAN will make use of our capabilities in the Tourism Ministry.

• Bayit Yehudi lawmaker, Moti Yogev insisted that if the Contest was to violate Shabbat then it should stay in Europe.
• Meretz leader, Tamar Zandberg, had a different outlook

We are a free nation without thought police. The need to allow people to enter the country no matter their politician views is something that should already be obvious.

It is understood the EBU have not commented on any of these responses.

Host City rumours grow stronger but are rebuked

Israel Hayom have speculated that the EBU have recommended Tel Aviv as the host city to the Israel broadcaster KAN and that they have agreed to accept.  However a spokesman for KAN told the Jerusalem Post that the stories were “baseless rumours” and the announcement would be made in the next 48 hours.

Stay tuned to ESCBubble for the latest developments and let us know your thoughts on the reaction from Israel on our social channels!