Iron Dome Battery Deployed to Protect ‘Eurovision’ in Tel Aviv

 Illustrative. Israeli soldiers stand near a battery of the Iron Dome missile defense system deployed in Tel Aviv on January 24, 2019. (Menahem Kahana/AFP)
Illustrative. Israeli soldiers stand near a battery of the Iron Dome missile defense system deployed in Tel Aviv on January 24, 2019. (Menahem Kahana/AFP)
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Iron Dome Battery Deployed to Protect ‘Eurovision’ in Tel Aviv

 Illustrative. Israeli soldiers stand near a battery of the Iron Dome missile defense system deployed in Tel Aviv on January 24, 2019. (Menahem Kahana/AFP)
Illustrative. Israeli soldiers stand near a battery of the Iron Dome missile defense system deployed in Tel Aviv on January 24, 2019. (Menahem Kahana/AFP)

The Israel armed forces deployed additional Iron Dome air defense batteries on Tuesday in the central regions surrounding Tel Aviv, in anticipation of launching missiles from Gaza Strip during Eurovision Song Contest 2019 on 14-18 May.

An Israeli military source said that despite the current progress in negotiations with Hamas and Israel permitting the access of Qatari funds, the army is taking the Palestinian threats seriously and is preparing for any attempt by Hamas or other armed faction to disrupt or ruin the event through launching missiles.

Some in Gaza think that Eurovision is the best occasion to shed light on citizens’ sufferings in the strip, affirmed the source, and don't find a better means than to escalate conditions and launch missiles during the event.

The threat was made by an anonymous who spoke in a video that spread widely on media. The Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza Strip won’t permit the occupation government to hold the Eurovision in case the occupation didn’t fulfill its latest agreements, threatened the anonymous who was speaking in Arabic.

The video also displayed footage of the song contest to be held in Tel Aviv and an aerial image of the location where it will take place.

Israeli authorities consider that the contest that witnesses participation of 41 European bands is the greatest event in 2019, although it is concurrent with the anniversary of Nakba Day.

The Guardian published last Sep. a statement signed by 100 artists who announced boycotting Eurovision because it is being held in Israel.



Netanyahu Vows to 'Complete the Job' against Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during ‘Christian Conference’ in Jerusalem July 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during ‘Christian Conference’ in Jerusalem July 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo
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Netanyahu Vows to 'Complete the Job' against Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during ‘Christian Conference’ in Jerusalem July 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during ‘Christian Conference’ in Jerusalem July 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel has no choice but to "complete the job" and defeat Hamas, given the Palestinian group's refusal to lay down its arms.
Netnayahu also told a news conference that his new Gaza offensive plans aim to tackle two remaining Hamas strongholds.
He said Israel “has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.”

According to the AP news, he was speaking to foreign media in Jerusalem and defending a planned military offensive. He asserts that “our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza.” He is also pushing back against what he calls a “global campaign of lies” as condemnation of the plan grows both inside and outside Israel.

Netanyahu said there is a “fairly short timetable” in mind for next steps in Gaza.

The goals there, he said, include demilitarizing Gaza, the Israeli military having “overriding security control” there and a non-Israeli civilian administration in charge.

The prime minister also said he had directed Israel’s military in recent days to “bring in more foreign journalists” — which would be a striking development as they have not been allowed into Gaza beyond military embeds.

Netanyahu again blamed many of Gaza’s problems on the Hamas militant group, including civilian deaths, destruction and shortages of aid.