THE NETHERLANDS WILL not participate in next year\u2019s Eurovision Song Contest, with its broadcaster saying the event can \u201cno longer be considered neutral\u201d given divisions over the Gaza war.<\/p>\n
The contest has recently been hit by a wave of boycotts over Israel\u2019s participation, including from RT\u00c9.<\/p>\n
The Eurovision Song Contest is organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which is an alliance of public service media organisations whose countries are within the European Broadcasting Area.<\/p>\n
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS today said it will not participate in next year\u2019s Song Contest as \u201cone of the participating countries is still involved in a large-scale military conflict\u201d.<\/p>\n
It added that \u201cgeopolitical tensions in the Middle East are having too much of an impact on the Song Contest and have led to major divisions\u201d.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, organisers announced they were excluding any country involved in an armed conflict from hosting the competition.<\/p>\n
However, AVROTROS said this \u201coffers insufficient confidence that the independent and neutral character of the Song Contest can be restored\u201d.<\/p>\n
It noted that five countries, including Ireland, decided not to participate in this year\u2019s Song Contest and that former winners, including Charlie McGettigan<\/a>, have handed back their trophies.<\/p>\n