Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has announced it will not take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, saying the event can “no longer be considered neutral” amid divisions surrounding the war in Gaza.
AVROTROS, which also boycotted this year’s contest in Vienna, said geopolitical tensions in the Middle East were having a significant impact on Eurovision.
“It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the Contest, undermining its neutral character,” AVROTROS Director-General Taco Zimmerman said.
“The Eurovision Song Contest has therefore become a platform for division.”
AVROTROS had previously cited the humanitarian situation in Gaza and concerns over press freedom in explaining its decision to boycott the 2026 contest.
It said changes recently announced by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) had not provided sufficient confidence that Eurovision’s “independent and neutral character” could be restored.
AVROTROS has informed Dutch public broadcaster NPO of its decision and returned responsibility for the country’s participation to it. The NPO will now determine how to proceed for 2027.
The Netherlands was one of five countries, alongside Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and Iceland, which did not take part in Eurovision 2026 following controversy over Israel’s participation.
RTÉ confirmed last December that Ireland would neither participate in nor broadcast the 2026 contest after the EBU confirmed Israeli broadcaster KAN would be allowed to compete.
In May, RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst said there was “no reason at the moment” to change that position, but said it would be reviewed in the coming months.
RTÉ has not yet confirmed whether Ireland will participate in Eurovision 2027.
The 71st Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, in May, with the Grand Final on 15 May.
The final list of participating broadcasters and countries will be announced later this year.
Source: AFP / additional reporting