Israeli embassy slams Dutch broadcaster's plan to boycott Eurovision next year

The Israeli embassy in the Netherlands rebuked Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS over its decision to withdraw from the 2026 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is among the participants. The embassy called the decision a sign of “moral failure” in a statement on X and accused the broadcaster of trying to exclude “the entire Israeli society.” The acting Cabinet in the Netherlands also described the situation as being a complicated matter.

Earlier on Friday, the Netherlands became the fifth country to announce it will not take part in Eurovision 2026 as long as Israel is allowed to compete by the organizer, European Broadcasting Union (EBU). “AVROTROS can no longer justify Israel’s participation in the current situation, given the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza,” the broadcaster said.

The contest will be held in Vienna next May. AVROTROS is responsible for the Dutch entry into the competition, and its presentation on television in the Dutch market. The organization is part of public broadcasting umbrella association NPO, which is a member of the EBU.

“Since the horrors of October 7, Israel has been engaged in a war it did not choose, while Hamas continues to hold 48 hostages in unimaginable conditions. Instead of acknowledging this, AVROTROS has chosen to collectively boycott Israelis,” the embassy added. The embassy also stated that such actions “are unnecessary, unhelpful, and will achieve nothing” in stopping Hamas or improving the plight of Palestinians.

Dutch Caretaker Minister of Education, Culture, and Science Gouke Moes described AVROTROS’ decision as sensitive. “Because this touches on a geopolitical consideration. And geopolitical considerations belong to politics, to the cabinet,” he said. Despite this, Moes has no plans to intervene. “They have journalistic freedom and the freedom to make their own programming decisions and judgments in this regard.”

Moes, a member of the BBB party, has not yet had an introductory meeting with the broadcaster but said on Friday after the cabinet meeting that he “can very well imagine that we will also discuss this topic.” Asked whether AVROTROS’ decision could create tensions with Israel, he replied: “I can imagine all sorts of things. Opinions on this matter differ greatly within society. That is also one of the reasons why I say: this is indeed a sensitive decision.”

He added that he hopes the decision will not jeopardize Eurovision itself. “It is unfortunate that an event designed to foster unity in times of division now risks being halted because of that very division.” When asked if he would miss the contest next year if the Netherlands does not participate, Moes said he has never watched Eurovision. “But I can still catch up with almost 70 years, right?”

The EBU told ANP that it understands the Dutch broadcaster’s concerns about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East but has not yet made a decision regarding Israel’s participation. “We are still in consultation with all EBU members to gather their opinions on how to handle participation and the geopolitical tensions surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest,” said Eurovision chief Martin Green.

Slovenia, Spain, Iceland, and Ireland have also stated they will not participate if Israel competes. The EBU confirmed that the deadline for broadcasters to confirm participation has been extended this year until mid-December. “It is up to each member to decide whether they want to participate, and we will respect every broadcaster’s decision,” Green said.

The Dutch public broadcaster NPO said it respects AVROTROS’ decision. “This means there will be no Dutch participant this year if AVROTROS withdraws, not even through another broadcaster,” a spokesperson told ANP.

The Centre for Information and Documentation on Israel (CIDI) called AVROTROS’ decision “particularly regrettable.” According to the organization, the move “completely disregards the feelings of the public” and sees the broadcaster’s actions as “taking the law into its own hands.”