Earlier today, Eurovision officials named Tel Aviv as their selection to host next year’s contest. This despite the fact that…

• …the contest typically takes place in the capital city of the host country
• …many of us would appreciate international recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel
• …Netta Barzilai proudly declared, “next time in Jerusalem” immediately after her victory

…the selection of Tel Aviv just makes sense.

Why?

• Tel Aviv has a strong reputation as the “cultural capital” of Israel
• The decision will relieve a tremendous amount of controversy (though not all, unfortunately)
• Tel Aviv is better equipped than Jerusalem to hold an event of this magnitude

On the other hand, one might wonder…the Eurovision always takes place in the capital. Is this a matter of opinion? Why do Eurovision officials get to “decide” the capital city of Israel?

As expected, many in Israel are not happy.

The Times of Israel reports that Zeev Elkin, who is running for mayor of Jerusalem, slammed the decision.

Elkin, who is running for mayor of Jerusalem, said in a statement that he was “sorry” to hear about the decision made by the Israel Public Broadcaster Kan and the EBU to hold the contest in Tel Aviv.

While he was “not surprised by the position of the Europeans,” he accused Kan of abandoning Jerusalem.

Holding the 2019 competition in Tel Aviv represents “a missed opportunity to strengthen the status of Jerusalem in the world and contribute to the development of the city,” Elkin said.

Culture Minister Miri Regev expressed mixed emotions:

“As I said at the beginning of the process, I thought it was right that Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, would host the Eurovision Song Contest,” she lamented. “Since the decision over hosting the Eurovision Song Contest has been made, I have no doubt that the State of Israel and the city of Tel Aviv will host the Eurovision Song Contest in the best and most respectful way possible.”

Regev had initially vocally insisted on holding the popular event in Jerusalem. But Netanyahu later instructed his government not to politicize the event, fearing it could cause Israel to lose the chance of hosting altogether. Israeli ultra-Orthodox leaders had also demanded that contest rehearsals not be held on the Sabbath in Jerusalem, against Eurovison regulations that bar any type of religious restrictions.

What do you think? Are you pleased with the decision to hold the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv?