Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS has accused Israel’s government of “interference” with the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest and using the competition as a “political instrument.”
This escalates the current crisis around the 2026 Contest, with the likes of Spain, Slovenia, Iceland and Ireland all saying they would likely boycott the event should Israel be allowed to participate.
In a strongly worded statement issued today, AVROTROS said the Netherlands would also avoid participation should the European Broadcasting Union admit Israel, but went further by making accusations against the Israeli government.
“AVROTROS can no longer justify Israel’s participation in the current situation, given the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza,” the statement read. “The broadcaster also expresses deep concern about the serious erosion of press freedom: the deliberate exclusion of independent international reporting and the many casualties among journalists.
“In addition, there is proven evidence of interference by the Israeli government during the most recent edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, in which the event was used as a political instrument. This runs counter to the apolitical nature of the Contest. These circumstances are incompatible with the values represented by AVROTROS as a public broadcaster.”
No context was given regarding the AVROTROS allegation that the Israeli government meddled with the event, but it said, “Should the EBU decide not to admit Israel, AVROTROS will gladly take part next year.”
Some of Europe’s public broadcasters have become unhappy with Israel’s participation as its government continues to bomb Gaza, with tens of thousands dead, according to Palestine’s Hamas-controlled health authorities. Multiple reports of starvation have also emerged as the situation becomes increasingly dire. Israel says its attacks are justified as they target Hamas, which was the driving force behind the October 7 massacres in 2023 that killed 1,200 and saw 250 people taken hostage.
The EBU is due to make a decision on Israel’s participation before the end of the year. Confirmation of contesting countries usually takes place the October before the event, which is held the following May. However, with Israel engaged in conflict across the Middle East, its participation has become a hot button topic and is believed to have dominated discussion at the EBU General Assembly in July.
Here’s the full AVROTROS statement.
In recent months, AVROTROS has engaged in regular consultations with the EBU and other European public broadcasters regarding the future and nature of the Eurovision Song Contest. These discussions have also given extensive consideration to whether Israel can be represented under the current circumstances.
The Eurovision Song Contest was founded in 1956 to bring people together after a period of deep division and war. Since its inception seventy years ago, music has been at the heart of the Contest as a unifying force, with peace, equality, and respect as its core values.
AVROTROS can no longer justify Israel’s participation in the current situation, given the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza. The broadcaster also expresses deep concern about the serious erosion of press freedom: the deliberate exclusion of independent international reporting and the many casualties among journalists. In addition, there is proven evidence of interference by the Israeli government during the most recent edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, in which the event was used as a political instrument. This runs counter to the apolitical nature of the Contest. These circumstances are incompatible with the values represented by AVROTROS as a public broadcaster.
The broadcaster has therefore decided that participation by AVROTROS in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will not be possible as long as Israel is admitted by the EBU. Should the EBU decide not to admit Israel, AVROTROS will gladly take part next year. Pending that decision, all preparations will for the time being continue as planned.
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