Dutch state broadcaster latest to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participates
Dutch state broadcaster latest to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participates
The Dutch state broadcaster has become the latest to announce it will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel also participates.
Avrotros said on Friday it would "not be possible" as long as Israel remains included, citing the "ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza".
It joins a number of national broadcasters that have been consulting with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which oversees Eurovision, over the possibility of excluding Israel over its genocide in Gaza.
"If the EBU decides not to admit Israel, Avrotros will be happy to participate next year," the broadcaster said in a statement.
It added that it was also concerned by Israel's "proven interference" during the 2025 contest in Switzerland, saying the event had been used as a "political instrument" by the country.
Israel’s success at the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year, in which it came in second place after Austria in public voting, sparked suspicion around the voting process. Spain’s public broadcaster requested an audit of the results, while widespread condemnation exploded online regarding the outcome.
The Dutch state broadcaster's announcement follows a similar pledge by Ireland's national broadcaster on Thursday.
RTE said it would be "unconscionable" for it to take part in the contest while Israel continued its bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip.
"It is RTE's position that Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, if the participation of Israel goes ahead, and the final decision regarding Ireland's participation will be made once the EBU's decision is made," said RTE.
'We hope other countries will follow Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and Iceland'
- Zoe Lawlor, Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign
"RTE is also deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza, the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages."
Israel's participation in Eurovision has sparked repeated demonstrations, including during the 2024 and 2025 contests.
RTE's statement was welcomed by pro-Palestine campaigners, who have long called for Israel to be excluded from Eurovision.
Zoe Lawlor, cultural liaison and chairperson for the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), told Middle East Eye that the move was "well overdue" and should have come years earlier.
"This is RTE finally reflecting the will of the majority of people in Ireland who stand resolutely in solidarity with the Palestinian people and against Israel's apartheid and genocide," she said.
"It is also testament to the huge, years-long campaign in Ireland calling for a boycott of Eurovision failing the EBU expelling [Israel]."
Calls for withdrawal
The next edition of the contest will be the 70th anniversary and is due to take place in Vienna, Austria, in May 2026 after Austrian entry JJ won with his song Wasted Love.
However, the staging of the contest remains in doubt if mounting anger over the death toll in Gaza - now at more than 64,000 - forces enough countries to pull out.
The Spanish government, which has described the war in Gaza as a genocide, on Wednesday said it would withdraw from the contest if Israel took part.
"I don’t think we can normalise Israel’s participation in international events as if nothing is happening," said Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also said in May that Israel should not be allowed to take part, noting that Russia had already been excluded over its invasion of Ukraine.
Spain's comments followed a similar warning from Slovenia's national broadcaster last week, while Icelandic broadcaster RUV has also suggested it might not compete.
MEE contacted the British Department for Culture, Media and Sport for comment, but was told it would not comment and deferred to the BBC, which oversees the UK's involvement in Eurovision.
Responding to MEE's inquiry on Friday, the BBC also said it would not be commenting.
Lawlor, of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said more countries should follow the example of Ireland and the Netherlands.
"The cultural boycott of Israel is a powerful tool to overcome this artwashing and in the struggle for freedom, justice and equality for Palestine. IPSC is proud to play our part in it," she told MEE.
"Campaigners, artists and the public have played an important role in this chipping away at Israel's gross injustice against the Palestinian people and we hope other countries will follow Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and Iceland."
