Kathmandu— The Netherlands will not participate in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after Dutch public broadcaster Avrotros withdrew its involvement, citing concerns that the event has become overly politicized and is inconsistent with its core values. The decision follows a series of controversies surrounding this year's competition, which took place against the backdrop of conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, and despite recent rule changes intended to address such issues. Avrotros stated that it no longer believes Eurovision can be considered neutral given current geopolitical tensions.

Growing Concerns Over Political Influence

Avrotros criticized Eurovision organizers for a perceived lack of clear rules regarding the participation of countries involved in military conflicts, arguing this compromised the contest’s integrity. The broadcaster stated that its continued involvement was no longer aligned with its values of “trustworthiness, independence and humanity.” This year's event saw boycotts from Spain, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia in protest against Israel’s actions, while a petition signed by over 1,100 musicians accused organizers of ‘whitewashing’ the situation in Gaza.

Rule Changes Deemed Insufficient

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision, recently amended its rules to bar winners from hosting the next contest if their country or “immediate region” is affected by armed conflict. However, Avrotros Director-General Taco Zimmerman said these changes were not enough to restore confidence in the event’s independence and neutrality. He described Eurovision, originally intended as a unifying force, as having become “a platform for division.”

Perception of Selective Application of Rules

Avrotros highlighted what it perceived as inconsistent application of rules by the EBU, noting that Russia was banned following the escalation of conflict in Ukraine but no similar measures were taken against Israel. This selective approach further fueled concerns about political bias within the competition. The broadcaster did not directly name Israel in its statement, but acknowledged the significant impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the contest.

Rise of Alternative Contest: Intervision

Amidst these developments, Russia has revived Intervision, a Soviet-era music competition positioned by the Kremlin as an alternative to Eurovision. The first modern edition was held in Moscow in September 2025, attracting participants from 23 countries including China, India and Brazil. Organizers described Intervision’s mission as fostering “dialogue between civilizations” and promoting cultural exchange, with Saudi Arabia slated to host the next competition.

The Netherlands could potentially return to Eurovision in future if another public broadcaster assumes responsibility for participation, but Avrotros has made no indication of reversing its decision. The EBU stated it is in contact with the Dutch umbrella organization for public media regarding the matter.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.