Next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will go ahead without the Netherlands. The Dutch national broadcaster made the announcement Monday citing the continued presence of Israel as a hindrance.
The Netherlands joins Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia to have all pulled out of the contest — with the latter three refusing to broadcast the show at all.
“It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the Contest, undermining its neutral character. The Eurovision Song Contest has therefore become a platform for division,” said Taco Zimmerman, Director-General of AVROTROS in a statement from the broadcaster per AFP.
The broadcaster had previously cited the humanitarian situation in Gaza and concerns over press freedom when explaining its decision not to participate in Eurovision 2026 alongside others upset that Israel is allowed to compete.
The contest – launched in 1955 – has recently been hit by a wave of boycotts over Israel’s participation and its efforts in Gaza to rid the neighboring territory of Islamic terrorists who threaten the very fabric of the Jewish state.
Despite the protests, Eurovision remains the ultimate pop platform, catapulting Swedish icons ABBA to worldwide fame, as well as more recently boosting the likes of Celine Dion, Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John.
The 2026 competition was watched by 131 million viewers.
The 71st Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, in May 2027, with the Grand Final set for May 15.
The final list of participating broadcasters and countries is expected to be announced later this year.
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