AVROTROS, alongside broadcasters from Slovenia, Ireland, and Spain, urged that Israel be excluded, citing “serious humanitarian suffering in Gaza” and restrictions on press freedom, and alleging that the Israeli government had campaigned for its entry.
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Although some executives expressed private support for AVROTROS, no coordinated boycott emerged. Procedural differences among broadcasters and a Gaza ceasefire weakened momentum for a joint action. AVROTROS described the voting process as confusing: the official agenda called only for a vote on new rules limiting government involvement, not on Israel’s participation itself.
A secret vote on the rule changes concluded shortly after 6:15 p.m., approving the tightened regulations but leaving Israel cleared to compete. AVROTROS executive Taco Zimmerman told reporters, “Sad, but we had no other choice,” citing humanitarian concerns, press freedom, and government campaigning.
https://nltimes.nl/2025/12/06/dutch-broadcaster-details-complicated-eurovision-vote-led-boycot
