https://www.timesofisrael.com/eurov...ent-without-political-religious-restrictions/
Eurovision demands Israel host event without political, religious restrictions.
Organizers insist government commit to granting unlimited access to Israel, freedom of speech regardless of political opinion, allow general rehearsals on Shabbat
After representatives of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) toured the country last week for possible venues — naming Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Eilat as possibilities — its director sent an official letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the list of demands, Hadashot TV news reported Monday.
Israel is required, according to the list, to grant visas and let visitors travel in Israel with no restrictions, regardless of their political leanings.
The government must also grant absolute freedom of press and freedom of speech to all participants and all delegations during their visit, the letter said.
The EBU letter also demanded that Israel lift any religious restriction on holding events related to the contest on Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, which begins Friday night and ends on Saturday evening.
The letter also demanded that the Kan public broadcaster be given complete independence in holding the broadcast.
While the organizers said the demands were standard, an unnamed government source was quoted by Hadashot as saying that “it seems the organization is very suspicious,” and that there was a reason for the demand that a government official guarantee they will be fulfilled.
