In brief
The Netherlands has announced it will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest after a 2026 boycott over Israel’s entry. Public broadcaster NPO said sensitivities around the conflict would spark division and so decided to step back. The Netherlands had previously pledged return in 2027 before retracting. Eurovision organisers say they look forward to a Dutch entry when the climate is right.
The Netherlands has withdrawn from next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after a 2026 boycott over Israel’s participation, citing sensitivities that could divide society.
Public broadcaster NPO, which had vowed a return in 2027, announced on Tuesday that it would forgo the contest, following the earlier pull‑out by Dutch network Avrotros.
The decision came after the Netherlands, along with Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia, abstained from the 2026 edition in protest of Israel’s entry, amid criticism of its military actions in Gaza.
NPO chair Jet de Ranitz said discussions with other broadcasters failed to produce a suitable format “to take a step back for the time being.” He added the country will still broadcast the event.
Eurovision’s director Martin Green expressed regret but noted organisers respect the Dutch broadcasters’ “strength of feeling.” He welcomed a Dutch entry when the moment feels right.
For context, the 2026 contest took place in Vienna, where the Czech and Irish broadcasters also pulled out over comparable concerns, and Eurovision has introduced new rules to mitigate future divisions.
