Eurovision 1969 winner Lenny Kuhr criticizes AVROTROS’ boycott of Israel, urging Eurovision to stay apolitical and unite through music, not politics.

Eurovision 2026 has not yet begun, but Israel’s participation is already shaping up to be one of the competition’s most contentious issues. Into this storm steps a familiar voice from the past – Lenny Kuhr, the Dutch singer who won Eurovision in 1969, who now directs sharp criticism at her country and European broadcasters. Her words carry added weight, she explains, not only because of her long artistic career but also due to her deep, personal connection to Israel: her daughters live in Ramat Gan, her grandson was injured in the October 7th attack, and she herself spent many years living in Israel after marrying an Israeli.

In an interview with Dutch radio, Kuhr said:
“I find it incomprehensible and very sad. Art is a way to connect people, and when you boycott Israel—you deny that possibility and take an aggressive stance. If Israel is not allowed to participate, then as an artist—I would not want to participate either.”

Kuhr, whose daughters live in Ramat Gan and whose grandson was wounded in the October 7th assault, did not hide her personal pain:
“I love Eurovision, it has been a part of me for decades, and what is happening now hurts me deeply. My greatest wish is—let art remain free, don’t interfere with it.”

Criticism of Israel Boycott

Responding to AVROTROS’ justifications about “suffering in Gaza and restrictions on press freedom,” Kuhr argued the decision was a political move that contradicted the spirit of the contest:
“We need to touch people’s hearts with music. I don’t think they truly understand the reality—it all depends on how you look at things.”

Kuhr further pointed to what she saw as a disproportionate focus on Israel while ignoring Hamas’ actions:
“All eyes are on what Israel does, while people forget to consider what Hamas is responsible for. If the hostages were released—the war would have ended a long time ago.”

She also defended Israeli singer Yuval Raphael’s song this year, rejecting claims of politicization:
“She sings about her grief as a survivor of October 7th. That is personal, not political.”

Spain Also Under Fire

Kuhr extended her criticism to Spain, which voiced a similar boycott stance: “This choice is absurd. When I participated in Eurovision in Madrid, Franco was still in power. The Netherlands did not pick a side then, and neither should it now. Politics must stay out of the competition.”

Recalling the contest’s history, she highlighted the inconsistency: Spain hosted Eurovision during a dictatorship, yet at that time no boycotts or political decisions interfered. According to her, injecting politics threatens the contest’s artistic and social mission.

A History of Support for Israel

Kuhr is not only a past Eurovision champion but has also long been associated with support for Israel. After marrying an Israeli and converting to Judaism, she lived in the country and raised her family there. During the Gulf War, she recorded the song “Shalom from Holland” alongside other artists as a message of solidarity with Israeli citizens. Even in the current conflict, she has remained active in raising awareness, performing in Hebrew at a concert in the Netherlands dedicated to the hostages.

A Broader Struggle Over Israel’s Participation

Kuhr’s words do not come in a vacuum but rather fit into a broader battle surrounding Israel’s place in Eurovision. Recently, reports indicated Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands planned to withdraw if Israel remains in the contest, while countries such as Germany and Italy remain hesitant to take a firm position.

By voicing her criticism from within the Netherlands, Kuhr adds an emotional and personal dimension to the debate. A singer who once brought her nation Eurovision glory now challenges that same country—raising profound questions about the political choices shaping Europe’s beloved song contest.

The Broader Picture: Israel’s Eurovision Future

Kuhr’s stance joins a rising chorus in Europe criticizing attempts to boycott Israel. In contrast, countries such as Austria, Germany and Switzerland have already signaled opposition to excluding Israel. The European Broadcasting Union is expected to hold a decisive vote this December that could determine Israel’s future in the competition.

Netherlands at Eurovision 2025

“C’est La Vie” is the title of the song performed by Claude, who represented the Netherlands at Eurovision 2025. The Netherlands qualified for the Grand Final after placing third in the first semi-final with 121 points. In the Grand Final, the Netherlands finished in 12th place with 175 points, with the jury awarding the country fifth place, but the public at home ranking it only 15th.

This year, the Netherlands participated in the Grand Final after two years of missing out. In 2023, Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper failed to qualify from the semi-final, while in 2024, Joost Klein was disqualified after the semi-final due to a violent incident involving the competition’s production team.

Eurovision 2025: This was the Netherlands’ 65th participation in Eurovision. The Netherlands joined the competition in 1956, was one of the seven founding countries, and has won it five times over the years. The Netherlands’ last victory was at Eurovision 2019 with the song “Arcade” performed by singer Duncan Laurence.

source: ad.nl, MAKO