Netherlands withdraws from ‘no longer’ neutral Eurovision

Its Dutch broadcaster says the contest, which has been hit by a wave of boycotts over Israel’s participation, has ‘become a platform for division’

The Netherlands will not participate in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, its broadcaster has said, adding that the event can “no longer be considered neutral” given divisions over the Gaza war.

“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 on Monday.

The contest has recently been hit by a wave of boycotts over Israel’s participation.

Earlier this month, organisers announced they were excluding any country involved in an armed conflict from hosting the competition.

“However, the recently announced changes … do not provide sufficient confidence that the independent and neutral character of the Eurovision Song Contest has been restored,” said the AVROTROS statement.

Israel came close to winning the competition in both 2025 and 2026, ultimately finishing second on each occasion.