Netherlands reverses Eurovision 2027 participation over Israel sensitivities
Dutch broadcaster NPO has withdrawn from the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, citing societal division over Israel's participation and reversing a pledge to return made just a month earlier.
The Dutch public broadcaster NPO announced on Tuesday it will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. This decision reverses a pledge made last month and cites ongoing sensitivities and division in society over Israel's participation.
NPO's media director, Jurre Bosman, stated the broadcaster had recognized for some time that Israel's presence provoked sharply differing reactions. "Israel's participation elicits various reactions in society and causes discussion and division," Bosman said. The organization only wants to send artists if they can count on the full support of one or more broadcasters. Following further discussions, NPO was unable to find a suitable format to participate.
NPO's executive chairman, Jet de Ranitz, said the broadcaster must conclude that it is currently too early to participate in the 2027 contest due to the themes at play. De Ranitz recognized the withdrawal would disappoint many fans but stressed that Dutch public television channels would continue to air the competition. The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria on May 15, 2027, marking Bulgaria's first time as host.
The Dutch withdrawal follows a series of boycotts from countries unhappy with Israel's inclusion, given its military campaign in Gaza sparked by the October 7 Hamas attacks. In August, the AVROTROS broadcaster pulled out, saying the event can no longer be considered neutral given divisions over the Gaza war. NPO stepped in to replace AVROTROS a month later, only to reverse course with Tuesday's decision.
The head of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Martin Green, said he was deeply sorry that the Netherlands would not be taking part. He believes the contest matters in a divided world. NPO's Bosman added that the broadcaster was still talking with the EBU about the future of the contest and is convinced the event can once again become a place of music and connection.
The boycott chain reaction
The Netherlands was one of five countries which boycotted the 2026 contest over concerns about Israel's continued presence and the ongoing war in Gaza. Iceland, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia joined the boycott after AVROTROS pulled out, with the latter three refusing to broadcast the show at all.
Ireland has already confirmed it will not participate in Eurovision 2027. The head of Spain's public broadcaster has backed the idea of a continued boycott. Separately, the Czech public broadcaster pulled out earlier this month, citing budget cuts.
What the EBU says
Eurovision organizers have announced changes to exclude any country involved in an armed conflict from hosting the competition. Changes to the voting system have also been announced. These moves come as the contest faces significant pressure. The 2026 competition was watched by 131 million viewers, down 35 million from the year before after the five-country boycott.
The Netherlands is a founding participant, having taken part in the very first contest in 1956. It has won five times. Its most recent winner was Duncan Laurence, whose 2019 song 'Arcade' went on to top charts globally and became the first Eurovision entry to reach one billion streams on Spotify. NPO will continue to air the competition while stressing it is currently too early for the Netherlands to return.
