Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS has announced that it will not take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) allows Israel to compete.
In a statement released on Friday, the broadcaster said Dutch participation “will not be possible as long as Israel is admitted by the EBU”.
AVROTROS cited “the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza”. It also pointed to the “serious erosion of press freedom”.
The broadcaster said these issues conflict with the values of public broadcasting.
“Human suffering, the suppression of press freedom and political interference are at odds with the values of public broadcasting”, it added.
The EBU oversees the Eurovision Song Contest. It plans to make its final decision on Israel’s participation in December.
Which countries are boycotting Eurovision 2026?
Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and Iceland have all announced possible measures over Israel’s participation.
Slovenia became the first country to confirm a boycott through its public broadcaster, RTVSLO.
Ireland soon followed. Its broadcaster RTÉ said participation “would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza”.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Prime Minister and Culture Minister have both called for Israel’s removal from the contest.
They have also suggested that Spain’s RTVE should withdraw if Israel remains in the competition.
Iceland’s broadcaster RÚV has described its participation in 2026 as “uncertain”.
The broadcaster will wait for the EBU’s final decision in December before confirming its position.
The submission deadline for broadcasters usually falls in October.
However, the EBU has extended the deadline to December. Talks with local broadcasters over Israel’s entry are continuing.
Why are countries boycotting Eurovision?
Several European countries have increased their criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Critics have also raised allegations of atrocities and genocide against Israel.
Most recently, the International Association of Genocide Scholars passed a resolution on the issue.
The group said Israel’s conduct meets the UN’s legal definition of genocide.
The EBU has also faced criticism over Israel’s continued participation in Eurovision.
Critics have compared the situation with Russia’s exclusion from the contest after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier this year, 72 former Eurovision contestants signed an open letter to the EBU.
The former contestants called for an end to what they described as a double standard.
They also urged the EBU to exclude Israeli public broadcaster KAN and its Eurovision entry.
The Netherlands has now joined the growing group of broadcasters considering a boycott.
However, it remains unclear whether the announcement will encourage more countries to withdraw.
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