Speculation has emerged over whether Israel could host the next Eurovision Song Contest if Bulgaria is unable to do so due to financial or logistical difficulties.

Axar.az reports, citing Ynet, that following Bulgaria’s victory at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Vienna, runner-up Israel has been mentioned in public discussion as a theoretical alternative host.

Israeli officials stressed that this scenario is highly unlikely.

According to the report, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is not expected to offer Israel hosting rights, and hosting the contest in Israel would be highly complicated due to political tensions and boycotts.

“It is not obligated to offer hosting to Israel. Everyone knows that at this time, hosting Eurovision in Israel would be very complicated,” one official said.

The report also notes that several countries boycotted this year’s contest over Israel’s participation, while Israel nevertheless achieved one of its strongest results in recent years.