The Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS has officially declared its boycott of Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is allowed to compete next year. In a press release issued on Friday, AVROTROS said it could “no longer justify Israel’s participation in the current situation, given the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza”.
Eurovision being a means to elevate collective European identity and culturally recognise the diversity of the continent feels sabotaged by this “Middle Eastern” nation with its political exploitation. The broadcaster therefore accused the Israeli government of interference in Eurovision and using the platform as a “political instrument”.
