Overview
- A survey of more than 23,000 EenVandaag panelists found 57% plan to skip this year’s shows, with 39% citing Israel’s participation as their main reason.
- In the same poll, 61% support the Netherlands staying out of the contest this year.
- Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS withdrew and gave up the broadcast, citing human suffering in Gaza, threats to press freedom, and alleged Israeli meddling in last year’s voting.
- NOS and NTR are carrying the broadcasts in the Netherlands even as domestic enthusiasm falls.
- Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland also pulled out, underscoring a contest often buffeted by politics despite its postwar unity goal.