Public broadcasting channel NPO1 will air next May’s Eurovision Song Contest following the decision by AvroTros to pull out of the competition because of Israel’s continued participation.

AvroTros, which has organised the Dutch entry and broadcast the event, said on Thursday it was withdrawing from the 2026 competition, together with public broadcasters in Spain, Ireland and Slovenia.

The broadcaster cited severe humanitarian suffering in Gaza, restrictions on press freedom and political interference during the last contest as reasons for stepping back. As a result, the Netherlands will not send an entry to the event, which will be held in Austria.

Reactions in the Netherlands have been sharply divided. Eurovision commentator Cornald Maas said on Instagram that it is disappointing the Netherlands will not participate, although he respects the decision and hopes for a return in 2027.

Supporters on social media called the move a difficult but necessary step, while critics said it was sad that a contest meant to foster unity has become politicised.

The Israeli embassy in The Hague said the decision runs counter to the values of the event and argued that it is the Netherlands, not Israel, which is becoming isolated.

Singer Lenny Kuhr, a joint winner of the competition in 1969 and whose children live in Israel, told news agency ANP the withdrawal is a missed opportunity, saying politics should not play a role on stage.

However, Eurovision journalist and podcast maker GJ Kooijman said he is proud of what he called a principled decision, and pointed out that the Netherlands and Spain are among the biggest funders of the event.

“This means a big bite out of the budget,” he said. “With all the controversies surrounding Israel in recent years it will not be easy to find new financiers which want to attach themselves to the event.”