The organizer of “Eurovision in Concert” in Amsterdam, René Romkes, revealed in an interview that he banned Eurovision winner Lenny Kuhr from speaking on stage due to the security and political situation.
While the eyes of Eurovision fans are already set on Eurovision 2026 to be held in Vienna, Austria, it seems the echoes of past contests and ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to shake the community. Organizers of the Eurovision pre-party in Amsterdam describe a particularly charged atmosphere, leading to controversial decisions regarding former contest stars associated with Israel. This is especially noticeable as 31 out of the 35 participating countries confirmed attendance at the Amsterdam event, while Israel’s representative, Noam Bettan, chose to skip the show, likely due to security concerns.
The Special Connection Between Lenny Kuhr and Israel
René Romkes, producer of “Eurovision in Concert” in Amsterdam, spoke to RTL Boulevard about the complex situation the Eurovision community faces. At the center of the controversy stands the directive given to singer Lenny Kuhr, the Eurovision 1969 winner long known for her unwavering support of Israel.
Kuhr won Eurovision 1969 in Madrid with the song “De Troubadour”. That year featured a famous four-way tie, with Kuhr crowned alongside representatives from France, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Kuhr, who converted to Judaism early in life, is a devoted admirer of Israel. Her connection to the country is both emotional and personal: she visited Israel to perform for soldiers and patients during wartime, and her daughters and grandchildren live there. On October 7th, 2023, one of her grandsons, Oz, was injured during the fighting but has since recovered. Recently, in February 2026, she announced plans to retire from performing and move permanently to Israel.
“Don’t Say Anything, Just Sing”
Romkes revealed that organizers forbade Kuhr from making any political statements or speaking on stage during her appearance, fearing it would provoke anti-Israel activists.
“We explicitly asked her: ‘Don’t say anything, just sing’”.
Said Romkes. The decision followed previous disruptions of Kuhr’s performances in the Netherlands, due to demonstrations about her family’s ties to the Israeli army.
“The community is deeply divided”, Romkes explained about the unusual measure. According to him, the polarization surrounding the war and Israel’s place in the contest forced organizers to “censor” artists to ensure event safety. Attempts to keep Eurovision a “bubble” disconnected from current affairs repeatedly collide with reality, as seen in Israel’s absence from this year’s Amsterdam show while nearly all other countries attended.
Between Music and Politics: Eurovision 2026 Challenges
The case of Lenny Kuhr highlights the enormous challenge faced by organizers as Vienna 2026 approaches. The effort to mend rifts within the community now seems to involve silencing debate and restricting artistic freedom – especially for those expressing solidarity with Israel. It’s important to note that this is not an official Eurovision event, and Kuhr is not competing this year, so the official contest “code of conduct” forbidding political statements does not apply to her.
Even within the Israeli context, complexity reigns. While some European artists and fans express reservations, organizers are trying to balance respect for Israel’s Eurovision legacy with the need to prevent provocative acts that could spark undesirable chain reactions. Ultimately, the goal is to arrive in Vienna with smiles and music at the forefront – but the path involves daily crisis management and attempts to heal divisions in a community once known as one of the most united in the world.
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.
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Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
