Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision Song Contest, Dutch quit competition

Israel was given the green light to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday, after the organising body decided not to hold a vote on its inclusion, despite threats of boycotts from some countries over the Gaza conflict.

Following the announcement, Dutch broadcaster Avrotros declared that it would withdraw from the contest, meaning the Netherlands will not compete in the competition, which attracts millions of viewers globally.

There was no immediate response from Spanish and other national broadcasters who had previously threatened to boycott the event if Israel was allowed to participate, citing the death toll in Gaza and accusing Israel of breaching the rules designed to maintain the contest’s neutrality.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) stated that its members had supported new regulations aimed at preventing governments and third parties from unduly promoting songs to influence voters, following claims that Israel had unfairly boosted its entry this year.

"The vote means that all EBU members who wish to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 and agree to comply with the new rules are eligible to take part," the EBU said.

The issue has caused significant division among participants in the competition, which has a history of being entangled in national rivalries, international conflicts, and political voting.

The Dutch broadcaster explained that it had determined that, given the current circumstances, participation could not be reconciled with the core public values of its organisation.

Germany, a key supporter of Eurovision, had stated it would withdraw if Israel was excluded. Israel, which finished second in the contest this year, has not addressed the accusations but maintains it is the target of a global smear campaign.

Copied