Netherlands ready to join Eurovision boycott over Israel
The Netherlands follows Ireland in saying it can "no longer justify Israel's inclusion" in the event.
Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of The Earth EarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveDutch broadcaster says it will join Eurovision boycott over Israel 1 day agoShareSavePaul GlynnCulture reporterShareSaveGetty ImagesEurovision 2026 will take place in Vienna, AustriaThe Dutch public broadcaster, Avrotros, has confirmed the Netherlands will also boycott next year's Eurovision song contest if Israel is involved.
It follows Irish broadcaster RTÉ saying it will not take part if Israel does "given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza".
Eurovision will take place next in May 2026 in Vienna after Austrian singer JJ won this year following a nail-biting finish that saw him topple Israel from pole position at the very last minute.
In a statement which echoed RTÉ's, Avrotros said it too could no longer justify Israel's inclusion "given the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza" and the "serious erosion of press freedom".
It continued: "Human suffering, the suppression of press freedom and political interference are at odds with the values of public broadcasting."
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