Netherlands joins Ireland in threatening to boycott Eurovision if Israel takes part

Netherlands has joined Ireland and other countries in threatening to withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel competes.

Dutch broadcaster AvroTros said today it was taking the stance in response to the loss of life in Gaza. It comes a day after Irish broadcaster RTE said the country was taking the same stance, saying it was "unconscionable" to take part given the "ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza".

Slovenia and Iceland are among other nations which have said their participation is dependant on whether or not Israel is allowed to compete. AvroTros said the death of journalists in Gaza was also behind its decision to withdraw from the contest, set to be held in Vienna, Austria, next May.

Recent editions of the Eurovision Song Contest have involved protests against Israel's continued military action in Gaza, launched in response to the attack by Hamas militants on 7 October, 2023, which left some 1,200 people dead. Loud boos from the audience could be heard at the 2025 show, held in Switzerland.

The European Broadcasting Union, which organises the event, said on Thursday it understood the "concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East". Director Martin Green said: "We are still consulting with all EBU members to gather views on how we manage participation and geopolitical tensions around the Eurovision Song Contest." The Irish broadcaster previously said: "RTE wishes to thank the EBU for the extensive consultation process that was initiated on foot of that meeting, and the extension of the option to withdraw from participation without penalty to December.

"RTE feels that Ireland's participation would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza. "RTE is also deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza, and the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages." The 70th Eurovision final will take place on 16 May at the Wiener Stadthalle.

Israel has denied accusations it is committing genocide and have claimed their actions have been in self-defence against Hamas. More than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its military action..