The Netherlands: Withdrawal from Eurovision must spur the European Broadcasting Union to suspend Israel

Reacting to yesterday’s announcement by the Dutch public broadcasting organization, NPO, that they would not take part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 due to the Israel’s continued participation, Amnesty International’s Europe Director, Steve Cockburn, said:

“The Dutch broadcasting body is the latest to decide not take part in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in protest at Israel’s participation. It sends a clear message that there should be no stage provided to whitewash genocide, ethnic cleansing and apartheid against Palestinians. It also highlights the European Broadcasting Union’s cowardly refusal to suspend Israel from the competition.

There should be no stage provided to whitewash genocide, ethnic cleansing and apartheid against Palestinians

Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International's Europe Director

“Israel’s participation in Eurovision offers the country a platform to try to deflect attention from and normalize its ongoing genocide in the occupied Gaza strip and its accelerated annexation measures and ethnic cleansing in the occupied West Bank.

“Amnesty calls on the European Broadcasting Union and its members and associates to suspend Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest. There should be no stage for whitewashing genocide.”

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Background

After consulting broadcasters, the NPO which oversees public broadcasting in The Netherlands, found there was insufficient support for participation, citing “sensitivities” over Israel’s participation in the competition for its decision to pull out.

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