GENEVA — The Eurovision Song Contest will respect countries’ decisions on participating in next year’s competition, its chief said Friday, after several European broadcasters threatened a boycott if Israel takes part.

During the past two editions of the competition, the event has been drawn into the controversy over Israel’s devastating war in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian activists protested in Malmo, Sweden in 2024 and in Basel, Switzerland last May over Israel’s participation in the contest.

On Friday, the Dutch joined a growing list of European countries threatening to pull out of the 2026 contest in Vienna if Israel is permitted to take part again.

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS cited the “ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza,” in its statement announcing its decision.

Its “participatio

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