Ever since Israel’s Prime Minister made clear his intention to host Eurovision 2019 in Jerusalem, rumours have swirled that the EBU could strip the country of its hosting duties. The city’s status — both in international law and diplomatic practice — is disputed. And the recent violence in Gaza has only added strain to an already tense situation.

Take a peak in fan groups and on Twitter and you’ll see questions like: “Is it true Cyprus will host Eurovision 2019?” and “Could Germany host the contest next year?”

A Tweet sent out by the official Eurovision account on Tuesday sparked even more rumours and conspiracy theories. The Tweet, which you can read in full below, warned Eurovision fans not to buy plane tickets for the 2019 edition.

A number of fans took that as a sign that the contest was being re-located to another country.

Israel Hayom newspaper reached out to KAN — the Israeli broadcaster — to ask about what it described as a “strange Tweet”.

“There is no problem or anything unusual,” the KAN statement reads. “No dates have been set or the city to host.”

The Tweet from the EBU likely came in response to misinformation that was being spread by tour operators and fans. The official account was simply issuing a sensible warning that fans should wait for official information before jumping the gun…and spending their money.

The dates of 21, 23 and 25 May were at one point inserted into Wikipedia — along with the fake news that Jerusalem had 100% been confirmed as host city. (At the moment Jerusalem is simply the Israeli government’s preferred city and it must be approved and confirmed by the EBU first). Some travel companies had also listed these dates on their web sites.

UPDATE @ 22:00 GMT: Shortly after we published this post, the EBU issued a statement to Israel’s Channel 10, explaining that neither the official dates nor the host city have been determined. 

How did you interpret the Eurovision Tweet? Had you seen the “official dates” listed on any web sites previously? Let us know down below.

Read more Israel Eurovision news

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Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

Lo inmoral es matar a tiros a gente desarmada sin autocritica
#BOICOTJERUSALEN

Frédéric
Frédéric
5 years ago

You seem to be resistant to the fact, that the contest doesn’t need to be hosted in any winning nation’s capital. Sweden won six times now but chose Stockholm only in ’75, ’99 and 2016.
Jerusalem has hosted the contest twice already, so i don’t see why it is so important to chose it again (apart from rather political issues of course).
But to demonstrate my neutral position, i will add another “reason” for Jerusalem and that’s Igit’s wonderful entry to the french preselection called “Lisboa Jérusalem”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpqO8BBhPU4
Sameyakh!

PrincessRAMBO
PrincessRAMBO
5 years ago

WOW I want to be friends with you

Peace and Love

Miguel can’t even spell Boycott
Miguel can’t even spell Boycott
5 years ago

Eurovision is not your political toy either Miguel.

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

#BoicottJerusalem #BoicotJerusalén

LeGrand
LeGrand
5 years ago

EBU has double standards when it comes to Israel. They haven’t said a WORD when Russia had won even though they breach humans’ rights constantly or when Ukraine banned Russia last year (except for some general comments). Why do they even let us participate in the Eurovision if they are not willing to comply with their OWN PROTOCOLS, namely, let Kan decide where and how to organize Eurovision.? I know why. Because ppl just hate us. This is PURE racism. That’s it. Shame and disgrace and as far as I’m concerned Israel shouldn’t participate anymore in this hypocrite event. Ps… Read more »

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago
Reply to  LeGrand

Do not participate, so stay in Israel too.

LeGrand
LeGrand
5 years ago
Reply to  JEFFERSON

Stupid boy

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago
Reply to  LeGrand

#BoicottJerusalem

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago

And my name has two ffs, not one.

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago

Befan, nothing against being in jerusalem. but this is true EBU news, in the case what I’m posting, the wiwibloggs people are late. For me it may be in Israel, do what! They have won, if they want, they can host the competition. But if most countries do not agree, it may be in another city in the country.

Your comments are ridiculous and childish!

TrumpFan
TrumpFan
5 years ago

I LOVE that Jerusalem are hosting. EBU can take that and swallow it. Yes they secretly hate it. But they can’t do anything about it. Haha. They can take Eurovision off China like the bullies they are, but they can’t take Eurovision off Jerusalem 😀 Suck on that rainbow fascists

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago
Reply to  TrumpFan

Are you a fan of someone who hates blacks, latinos, arabs and foreigners?
just because he likes Israel?

Mehh
Mehh
5 years ago
Reply to  JEFFERSON

@Jefferson – You have a small mind.

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago

EBU / EBU revealed at the end of the first meeting with KAN that the venue for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 has not yet been decided: “If countries refuse to participate, the Eurovision Song Contest will not take place in Jerusalem.”

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU / EBU) has already held the first meeting with Israel’s public broadcaster to prepare for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019. Without a definite date or place, a representative of the EBU / EBU “If the countries refuse to participate, the Eurovision Song Contest will not take place in Jerusalem,” the local press reports.

EBUCommenta
EBUCommenta
5 years ago
Reply to  JEFFERSON

It will take place in Jerusalem. All countries will participate as usual, believe me. Even Iceland.

beccaboo1212
5 years ago
Reply to  EBUCommenta

Hopefully F.Y.R. Macedonia as well. Also, it’d be cool if Sweden won like they did in 1999. 🙂

NoGeoblocks
NoGeoblocks
5 years ago

See you all in Jerusalem 2019!
Peace and love from Israel

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

Eso es radicalmente falso, los unicos paises que tienen embajada en jerusalen son eeuu y Nicaragua , ergo son los unicos que acptan jerusalem como,capital

Jill
Jill
5 years ago

What I find interesting is the fact that EBU imposed to Ucraine and Portugal an open bid of cities to host, even though they knew that Kiev and Lisbon were the best places. Now, as by magic, open competition doesn’t interest anymore… How come EBU?…

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Jill

The whole bidding process is forced & ridiculous to a large degree, the EBU want to give the sense of hype that surrounds the Olympics or FIFA tournaments – the host broadcaster should be able to choose wherever suits them best. The EBU have lost the run of themselves in some respects, they need to rein it in sometimes.

Mindi
Mindi
5 years ago
Reply to  Jill

It’s pretty simple actually. Only Jerusalem can host the event due to the biggest and newest arena being there. Tel Aviv doesn’t have an indoor arena that’s big enough, they’re all outdoor. That’s why there’s no reason to even consider bidding.. It’s Jerusalem, at Pais Arena.

Perrs
Perrs
5 years ago

Eurovision in Israel 2019 not in Cyprus, Germany…, but after this news , chance to Jerusalem will host event is not that stronger than before EBU news.

Hosh
Hosh
5 years ago
Reply to  Perrs

Lol yeah definitely fake news
EBU and KAN visited Pais Arena and Teddy stadium both in Jerusalem and are deciding which one is better

KorianZ Bins
KorianZ Bins
5 years ago
Reply to  Hosh

Lol
This guy needs to find himself a girlfriend as soon as possible haha

Kris
Kris
5 years ago

I’d think if Israel can select a more agreeble and non-political host city then they should host!! If not then Cyprus, Austria and Germany should be given the options to host!

Adam Jones
Adam Jones
5 years ago

I relate Netta to Ireland’s 2008 entry Dustin the Turkey. Only difference is the chicken lady won. Wish Eurovision would focus on good songwriting and not comic relief.

Mindi
Mindi
5 years ago
Reply to  Adam Jones

Clearly you’re not bright enough to understand the meaning behind the song. And that’s OK, not everyone can understand subtext.

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

That is a movement from European artists. How are they terrorists? Check your facts

beccaboo1212
5 years ago

People need to stop bullying Netta. You can’t just call her a “fat chicken”. She incorporated the chicken sounds in “Toy” to make it sound different from any other song in Eurovision’s history.

I Love Madonna
I Love Madonna
5 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

Every year people are bullying the winner artists. Nothing new 😉
It’s the internet keyboard power 😉

marin
marin
5 years ago
Reply to  I Love Madonna

These people should not be part of Eurovision, they’re making me puke

UKFAN3
UKFAN3
5 years ago

Again, fake comment. Israelis are for peace while arabs wants the world to believe Israelis speak like that. You should have come up with a better username than “ISRAEL”.. lol

UKFAN3
UKFAN3
5 years ago

shame on you for supporting islamic terrorists. didn’t the terror attacks in europe teach you enough lessons?

Kris
Kris
5 years ago
Reply to  UKFAN3

@UKFAN3

Some arabs are also brainwashed by Islamic terrorists… but yes you are right

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago
Reply to  UKFAN3

Mas terrorista que el propio estado israeli…. #BoicotttJerusalem

Fatima
Fatima
5 years ago

I have a feeling that this is only the tip of the iceberg of debate about the 2019 contest. Roll on 2020 when hopefully the venue won’t be a bigger story than the music.

Henrique
Henrique
5 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

A little polemic and controversy is always fun and very helpful before a BIG Eurovision :))
And a lot of people contributed to that :))

Fitness
Fitness
5 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

This Eurovision 2019 will be very smooth, without any financial problems and the best edition ever produced for sure <333

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Fitness

Really? Kan is a new broadcaster and they need the government help. The government is like an octopus, they even want their own politicians to incorporate the production team. How is that going to work? This pink washing is really awful

Ruh
Ruh
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

@Joe
So wait and see 🙂

NNNN
NNNN
5 years ago

Israel will be host of Eurovision 2019 not Cyprus or some other countries. But chanceto be in Israel after this is not 100 % sure.

Rey
Rey
5 years ago
Reply to  NNNN

Fortunately Eurovision fans choose ONLY the best artist every year, and not “who is the best country to host”

They are not Drama Queens like you apparently haha

Sara
Sara
5 years ago

It is going to be Jerusalem, Israel. That is what they paid for. A deal is a deal.
If not, France can have it and share last place with Israel next year.

ICELAND2018
ICELAND2018
5 years ago
Reply to  Sara

jealous much? Eurovision does not need a fan like you. Go away.

UKSurie
UKSurie
5 years ago

This tweet is very normal, nothing strange.
Because of all this euphoria in Israel, Israeli media is already delivering info about the dates and location of the Eurovision 2019, but EBU still didn’t confirm that info.

As you may know EBU has to accept and confirm that info first, before fans start spending money.
So Israeli media has to calm down a bit lol

dus2011
dus2011
5 years ago

And this is the kind of behaviour which makes me question Eurovision in Jerusalem. This single post is a perfect image of the point most critical people try to make. This agression is the point why I wouldn’t feel safe in Israel … not my opinion about you or palestina , but because the whole situation over there is full of hate and violence (and I am not judging whos fault this is). If political opinions would realy matter I wouldn’t have travelled to Kiev!

YAIR
YAIR
5 years ago

I love Netta because she is a proud member of the IDF and is not afraid to kill whoever threatens us and our land. Do not mess with us Europe. it will be in Jerusalem because we say so. If you don’t like it screw you! Eurovision Jerusalem 2019. see you soon 🙂

Thomas
Thomas
5 years ago
Reply to  YAIR

Why do they do that?

UKFAN3
UKFAN3
5 years ago
Reply to  YAIR

You are clearly not an Israeli. Pathetic

NoGeoblocks
NoGeoblocks
5 years ago

Love the cover picture you chose for this…
Netta rolling her eyes to the the sight of this tweet, all the way to Jerusalem 2019.

Really great picture!

Aviva
Aviva
5 years ago

I liked the video. It’s true. We’re G-d’s chosen people and it’s our land. People need to understand that.

Aviva
Aviva
5 years ago

Israelis are peaceful. Arabs are terrorists. Please respect us. We just want to live in our holy land in peace. They can go back to Arabia.

Caliope
Caliope
5 years ago

Where is LLila? Mis her already

Leslie
Leslie
5 years ago

Love Netta <3
The best Eurovision winner for sure

NeahBitz
NeahBitz
5 years ago

Israeli people don’t think like that mate
I don’t think you are Israeli
Very bad and sad comment btw

Kristian
Kristian
5 years ago

After so much suffering from all their Arab neighbors since more than 3000 years, Israel really deserves some fun and happiness these days and Eurovision arrived 🙂 I’m so happy

I trust Israeli authorities in preventing terrorist attacks and also protect LGBT and Eurovision Fans.
I also trust Israeli broadcaster to organise the best show ever produced.

Love from Switzerland

Aviva
Aviva
5 years ago
Reply to  Kristian

The land is ours. G-d have it to us because we’re G-d’s chosen people. What’s so hard to understand? Did you not read the Bible? Even real Christians know that it’s the land of the Jewish people.

NoGeoblocks
NoGeoblocks
5 years ago
Reply to  Kristian

Except for the 1920-1921 Massacre of jews, and the 1928 riots where jews where again, massacred. During the holocaust the Arabs demanded to limit the immigration of jews to their homeland in their biggest time of need. Due to the Arab behavior a Jewish state was a necessity, to protect jews in their homeland. What did the Arabs do? oh, that’s right, they declared war. And they lost it.

You know nothing, Elsa Alves.

Girl, bye
Girl, bye
5 years ago

What a toxic comment section… Wow!! So much ignorance and hatred from both sides. Great job ppl, thats why we cannot have nice things in the world.

Aviva
Aviva
5 years ago
Reply to  Girl, bye

It’s our land and G-d gave it to us the people of Israel. The toxic comments are coming from the people who want to destroy us. Jerusalem is our holy city.

Yussef David Stein-Pereira
Yussef David Stein-Pereira
5 years ago
Reply to  Aviva

Please tell me you are not forbidden by God to write GOD. I’m a Reform Jew and I can right God however I please. I despair of you Orthodox (or pro-Benji trolls, the groups overlap alarmingly in Israel, they don’t overlap as dramatically in the diaspora) or am I not a true Jew because I’m not Orthodox? The Ultra-Orthodox do not even recognize the State of Israel let alone its “Jewish” nature yet this Israeli government has no problems seeing them as Jews and subsidizing them to keep their way of life, well my way of life is dictated by… Read more »

Filipe
Filipe
5 years ago

Yeah lol someone is now down voting all comments here hahaha
I wonder how he can do that

Lucas
Lucas
5 years ago
Reply to  Filipe

Noticed that too lol

Marty Mc
Marty Mc
5 years ago

They won it fair and square, so i guess it will be in Jerusalem next year. Their government always want an event in Jerusalem given the chance, and they always get what they want in the end. Beautiful city anyway, worth a visit if you get a chance. There is a big basket ball arena in the western side of the city, huge venue, perfect for hosting the contest. I just hope they stick to the music next year and provide a good show, and not turn it into something else political or propaganda wise. If they do, they are… Read more »

Pierre
Pierre
5 years ago

Lol I also noticed that

Viking
Viking
5 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

Here is anonymous and the person is down voting everything :))
Just check Instagram and Youtube, you will see it is totally diffrent :)))

Kalamar_
Kalamar_
5 years ago
Reply to  Viking

@Viking
And can he down vote multiple times?

Viking
Viking
5 years ago
Reply to  Kalamar_

I don’t know mate
It’s a propaganda, an anonymous one by one person I’m sure :)))

Your Propaganda Efforts Exposed
Your Propaganda Efforts Exposed
5 years ago

Thank you. I was stupid but after reading your comment, I am now smart. Israel should rule everyone and everything. Thank you for making me realize that. I was so dumb before, but thanks to you I am enlightened.

iundi
iundi
5 years ago

lol.. a Hasb4ara / J I D F pr0paganda video paid for by the g3noc1dal Isr4eli D3fense Forc3s.. nice try!!

(had to write it like this so my comment would post)

CPK.
CPK.
5 years ago

This problem has being going on for far too long. If they sorted out the hatred and the problems in Northern Ireland why oh why a solution cannot be found. While this Government in Israel is in power and it receives financial backing from the Americans a two state solution will never exist. You do not need a high IQ to understand this but where money and greed is involved it will remain like this for years to come. In the light of how Israel has performed on the World Stage in recent weeks the contest which promotes peace should… Read more »

Nitzili
Nitzili
5 years ago
Reply to  CPK.

I couldn’t disagree more

Nitz
Nitz
5 years ago
Reply to  CPK.

so you’re basically suggesting that a non political contest would become political? did i get it right?

Aviva
Aviva
5 years ago
Reply to  CPK.

I agree with the video. It’s true that we’re G-d’s chosen people and that it’s our land and we should defend it no matter what. The rest of the world needs to understand that. Thank you IDF for protecting our holy land.

Orlando
Orlando
5 years ago

Thank you

NathanUK
NathanUK
5 years ago

Thank you for the video.
Obama and Hilary were indeed the best presidents to try to calm down this conflict

RogerCGN
RogerCGN
5 years ago

first of all i think the decission is uppon the local broadcater whereever it will be Tel Aviv oder Jerusalem or another City in Israel. But for some raesons i would prefere Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. And the capitalthing has nothing to do with hosting an eurovision event. Examples: Munich, Düsseldorf, Brighton, Harrogate, Malmö, Istanbul, Millstreet etc. 1st reason After all i know Tel Aviv is the more open minded City. Plus it is located directly on the sea and it is more spacey. 2nd reason a1n ESC 2019 is not comparable to an ESC in 1999. The event ist… Read more »

Danny
Danny
5 years ago
Reply to  RogerCGN

When you subscribe for KAN updates about Eurovision 2019 on Facebook you get an automatic message (originally in Hebrew) “KAN is exited to announce that Eurovision 2019 is coming to Israel and will take place in Jerusalem”. KAN support Jerusalem as a host as much as the majority of the Israelis. The religious people there might not be happy with that (they are not the majority there yet) but there are a lot of international events taking place in the city including a gay pride. So it’s not up to religious groups to decide. Jerusalem does not belong to orthodox… Read more »

David
David
5 years ago
Reply to  Danny

I think they might strike a deal with the Haredim to sort of ignore the event, like they did under Giro D’Italia.

RogerCGN
RogerCGN
5 years ago
Reply to  Danny

Hi Danny, thank you very much for that information. I have never bin to israel so i belong to the informations you can read in newspapers or tv stations. so i come back to my original post that the decission is up to the local tv hoast. so probably next year in Jerusalem.
My main concern was that the people of Jerusalem meight not be happy…
Now i know better…

Kittie
Kittie
5 years ago

Wow excellent video. Thank you PeaceLoveSweden. I understand better the conflict now. Both sides did bad things. But peace will only come when people start seeing the conflict from both sides and not from one side only.

L'oiseau
5 years ago

From an Israeli, point of view I fully understand wanting to stage the show in Jerusalem. But then again, there were already two shows staged there. Maybe for diversity sake another city could host it, providing that the conditions are in place. Tel Aviv is naturally the one which comes to mind, but maybe other cities would also be able and willing.

Danny
Danny
5 years ago

And the reason was that Israel won second year in a row and didn’t want to spend so much money. The contest in 1979 was held in Jerusalem.

Nitzili
Nitzili
5 years ago

Honestly the tensions were there for decades, regardless of the Eurovision and hosting there isn’t gonna change one bit. The situation in Jerusalem is much more complicated than that. Either way, Jerusalem is very safe and there shouldn’t be an issue with safety for anyone. The major issue in Jerusalem is political for the most part

Nitzili
Nitzili
5 years ago

I believe the esc would take everything into consideration and will eventually choose the best city in Israel to host, whether it’s Jerusalem, tel Aviv or other citys who expressed interest.

cccc
cccc
5 years ago

Hi hope they have KFC there….

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

#BOICOTJERUSALEM

Eurovisionfan12
Eurovisionfan12
5 years ago
Reply to  Miguel

#learnhowtospellbeforeyoumakeahashtag
#boycottnotboicot

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

#BOICOTTJERUSALEM #BOICOTJERUSALEN

Jim
Jim
5 years ago
Reply to  Miguel

#RIPgrammar

beccaboo1212
5 years ago
Reply to  Jim

#DontBoycottIsraelRegardlessOfHostCity 🙂

Galit
Galit
5 years ago

William, Have you questioned Lisbon? Kiev? Stockholm?
Jerusalem is our Capital just as the sun rises in the mornung! That’s why we’ll host the competition there!
What is so difficult to understand?

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago
Reply to  Galit

#BoicotJerusalem

xelx
xelx
5 years ago
Reply to  Galit

Malmö, Düsseldorf, Istanbul… It doesn’t have to be the capital, so don’t host the contest there just to prove it’s the capital. That’s the wrong reason.