AVROTROS Draws a Line: No Eurovision 2026 If Israel Is Allowed In
The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has issued a blunt statement: if Israel is admitted to the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, the Netherlands will not be on stage in Vienna.
Eurovision’s “Core Values” Under Scrutiny
AVROTROS explained its stance in unusually strong terms, linking participation in the contest directly to Eurovision’s founding principles of peace, equality and respect.
“Human suffering, the suppression of press freedom and political interference are at odds with the values of public broadcasting,” the statement read.
The broadcaster pointed to:
- Severe human suffering in Gaza, which it says cannot be ignored.
- Attacks on press freedom, including the exclusion of independent journalists and deaths among reporters.
- Political interference by the Israeli government during Eurovision 2025, accusing Israel of using the contest as a “political instrument”.
AVROTROS argued these circumstances are “incompatible with the values represented by public broadcasters.”
Conditional Participation
The message is crystal clear:
- If the EBU excludes Israel, the Netherlands will happily compete.
- If Israel is admitted, AVROTROS will withdraw.
Until the EBU’s decision — expected by mid-December 2025 — preparations in the Netherlands will continue as usual.
The statement
AVROTROS LINKS EUROVISION 2026 PARTICIPATION TO CORE VALUES
Human suffering, the suppression of press freedom and political interference are at odds with the values of public broadcasting.
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.
Eurovision’s Founding Spirit
The statement also reminded fans that Eurovision was born in 1956, designed to unite Europe through music after the devastation of war. With 2026 marking the contest’s 70th anniversary, AVROTROS stressed that the event must remain apolitical and grounded in its unifying purpose.
A Growing List of Doubts
The Netherlands joins a growing number of broadcasters casting doubt on Eurovision 2026:
- Slovenia has said it will not take part if Israel competes.
- Iceland is threatening to pull out.
- Ireland has gone further, calling participation “unconscionable” while Spain’s Culture Minister has urged RTVE to withdraw.
Austria, the 2026 host, has voiced support for Israel’s participation, while the EBU’s Martin Green insists consultations with members are still ongoing.
Source: Avrotros
