The Netherlands is the latest country to say it will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song contest if Israel is allowed to compete.

In a statement on its website, the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said it could ‘no longer justify Israel’s participation in the current situation, given the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza.’

‘Should the EBU decide not to admit Israel, AVROTROS will gladly take part next year,’ it continued.

They also said the Israeli government was using the contest as ‘a political instrument.’

The news comes after Irish broadcaster RTE announced that it will not take part if Israel participates.

An RTE statement released earlier this week said that at the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in July, ‘a number of EBU members raised conc

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