JERUSALEM (JTA) — Performers scheduled to take the stage next week at the Eurovision Song Contest have begun rehearsing the contest’s venue in Tel Aviv despite the threat of rockets.
Among the countries whose performers have held rehearsals onstage at the Tel Aviv Expo on Saturday and Sunday are San Marino, Portugal, Estonia, Greece, Iceland, Serbia, Belorussia, Hungary, Belgium, Australia, Poland, and Montenegro, according to the Eurovision website.
The rehearsals were held as more than 600 rockets fired from Gaza landed in Israeli territory.
As of Sunday evening there were no cancellations by participants or changes in the program, the Israeli business daily Globes reported. Events surrounding the contest and preparations by the delegations are being held as scheduled, with the permission of the Home Front Command, according to the report.
Major hotel chains told Globes that they have not had any cancellations so far and that occupancy is high.
The rest of the delegations from the 41 countries participating in Eurovision are expected to arrive in the coming days.
The Eurovision semi-finals are scheduled for May 14 and May 16, and the finals on May 18 in Tel Aviv.
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