Reacting to yesterday’s announcement by the Dutch public broadcasting organization, NPO, that they would not take part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 due to the Israel’s continued participation, Amnesty International’s Europe Director, Steve Cockburn, said:

“The Dutch broadcasting body is the latest to decide not take part in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in protest at Israel’s participation. It sends a clear message that there should be no stage provided to whitewash genocide, ethnic cleansing and apartheid against Palestinians. It also highlights the European Broadcasting Union’s cowardly refusal to suspend Israel from the competition.

There should be no stage provided to whitewash genocide, ethnic cleansing and apartheid against Palestinians

Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s Europe Director

“Israel’s participation in Eurovision offers the country a platform to try to deflect attention from and normalize its ongoing genocide in the occupied Gaza strip and its accelerated annexation…