The Broadcasting Authority decided Sunday to hold the 1980 Eurovision song contest in Israel for the second consecutive year. In a 5-1 vote, the Authority’s Board of Directors decided that by holding the songfest again in Israel the positive image accorded Israel abroad would outweigh any expenses or problems incurred in organizing the event a second time.
(Israel received the right to hast the contest due to placing first in the competition this year, with Gali Atari and the “Milk and Honey” group’s rendition of “Hallelujah.”)
The Board asked the government to finance next year’s event, so as not to push the Authority into bankruptcy. While the proposal to hold the contest again in Israel was made by Authority chairman Reuven Yaron and Director General Yoseph Lapid, TV director Arnon Zuckerman opposed the plan, noting that the Eurovision contest “disrupted TV’s regular work and its ability to fulfill its running obligations.”
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