Category: Netherlands

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Dutch singer will bring an end to her six-decade career this year, pointing to her husband’s health and an increasingly divided atmosphere that has cast a shadow over the Eurovision community. Lenny Kuhr, one of the most prominent voices in Dutch music and a winner of the Eurovision 1969, has announced her retirement from the music industry. The 75-year-old singer shared the news on her Instagram account, explaining that her decision is primarily due to her husband’s health, but also to what she described as “division” surrounding the cultural climate in recent years. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Sharing the news with a tone of gratitude, Kuhr turned to her followers on Instagram. She wrote: "Filled with gratitude for such a long life, in love with the muse who always preceded me, I say this with a heavy heart". Her outspoken support for Israel has, in recent years, made her a target of criticism and...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The opposition leader shocks the Netherlands with an unprecedented response following his country's withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 - Accuses decision-makers of antisemitism and calls to disband AVROTROS.​ Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch opposition and head of the right-wing Party for Freedom, has launched a scathing critique against the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS for its decision to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 due to Israel's participation. Mere minutes after the broadcaster announced the country's withdrawal, the politician accused the public broadcaster of antisemitism and demanded its disbandment in a social media post. The politician addressed the public with an unequivocal statement leaving no room for hesitation, writing: "Antisemitism and hatred of Israel rejected in the ugliest way. Abolish AVROTROS!" (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Antisemitisme en walgelijke Israël-haat in zijn lelijkste vorm. Opheffen die AVROTROS! #songfestival https://t.co/DWn6dHfJ9L — Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) December 4, 2025 Many people worldwide agree with Wilders. The Eurovision contest aims to unite European countries on one stage through music, without any reference to...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Dutch national broadcaster has announced its withdrawal from Eurovision 2026, following the official confirmation that Israel will participate in the contest. The Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s participation in Eurovision in recent years. The broadcaster had previously declared that it would withdraw if Israel took part in Eurovision 2026, and it has now maintained that position even after the ceasefire. With the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union deciding not to hold a vote on Israel’s participation and approving the contest rules for 2026, the Dutch withdrawal has been made official. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to reports in the Netherlands, AVROTROS had counted on international pressure leading to Israel’s disqualification, and had already selected both its artist and song for 2026 in an advanced process meant to be ready “for any scenario”. Despite these preparations, the Netherlands will not take the Eurovision...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Netherlands in trouble? The Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS is stuck with a hardline statement about its Eurovision 2026 participation, while a bid to replace it to enable participation in Eurovision 2027 is on the table. Since the EBU canceled the vote on expelling Israel from Eurovision 2026, the Netherlands has found itself in a highly complex position. The Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS, which stated in early September that it would only consider participating if Israel were excluded, now faces a critical decision, as domestic voices call to replace it if it refuses to take part. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Netherlands’ hard line on Israel’s participation is evolving in a direction that probably nobody at AVROTROS expected. The Dutch broadcaster declared in early September, in unequivocal terms, that the Netherlands would not participate in Eurovision 2026 if Israel competes, but now, after the vote on Israel was canceled and the rules were...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS insists Israel must be expelled from Eurovision 2026, citing Gaza and press freedom, even if a ceasefire with Hamas materializes (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Netherlands will maintain its support for Israel’s expulsion from Eurovision 2026 even if a ceasefire with Hamas is reached, according to a spokesperson for the Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS. He emphasized that Israel has no place in the contest. "Our Position Will Not Change" Trump’s plan, whose details were released yesterday, sparked hope among Eurovision fans in Israel that the threat of expulsion would be lifted and Israel’s path to Eurovision 2026 would be secured. The countries that previously called for Israel’s removal justified their stance by referring to the humanitarian situation and the decline in press freedom, raising expectations that an end to the war would render these threats irrelevant. However, the Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS quickly clarified that its position remains firm, and even if a ceasefire agreement is finalized,...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Organizers of Eurovision in Concert 2026 confirm the show will proceed in Amsterdam despite boycott pressures over Israel, emphasizing music’s unifying role (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The controversy surrounding Eurovision 2026 continues: the organizers of Eurovision in Concert, one of the largest annual gatherings of the Eurovision community, held every year in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, have spoken out against the calls for a boycott of Israel in a new statement. “Eurovision in Concert 2026 will go on”, read the post. “As always, we’re looking forward to welcoming Eurovision delegations, fans and press from all over Europe for an unforgettable night in Amsterdam”. Resisting the Pressure The organizers described intense pressure placed on the management regarding Israel’s participation: “Dear Eurovision fans, we received several emails and messages whether Eurovision in Concert 2026 will go ahead after the news that several broadcoasters (including Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS) will withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 if Israel participates in Vienna. “It goes without...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 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...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Netherlands confirmed its Eurovision 2026 participation and began internal selection, but refuses to disclose how many songs were submitted—citing ongoing negotiations with the EBU, apparently regarding Israel’s participation. Claude brought the Netherlands notable success at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, with an uneventful and smooth participation. The Netherlands was enthusiastic about the upcoming 2026 contest and quickly launched its internal selection process. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Dutch national broadcaster, AVROTROS, opened its internal submission window as early as May 19, 2025—just two days after the 2025 Grand Final. The nation was the first to confirm Eurovision 2026 participation back in November 2024 and was once again optimistic following the end of the 2025 season. Despite tradition, the Netherlands now refuses to reveal the number of songs submitted to its selection process, citing ongoing discussions with the European Broadcasting Union about the "future of the contest," widely believed to revolve around Israel's participation. According to AVROTROS, “Immediately after the Grand Final,...