Netherlands withdraws from Eurovision 2027 over Israel participation

Dutch public broadcaster NPO announced on October 27, 2026, that the Netherlands will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas, Bulgaria, citing social division over Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The decision follows a previous 2026 boycott alongside Ireland, Iceland, Spain, and Slovenia. European Broadcasting Union director Martin Green expressed regret over the decision, while Ireland and the Czech Republic have also confirmed non-participation in the 2027 event.

Dutch withdrawal from Eurovision 2027

• ▪NPO stated on October 27, 2026 that no Dutch broadcaster was willing to take responsibility for or facilitate a Dutch entry for the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest
• ▪NPO media director Jurre Bosman announced after Board of Broadcasters consultation, that the Netherlands will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas, Bulgaria because Israel's inclusion causes social division
• ▪NPO executive chairman Jet de Ranitz stated that it is currently too early for the Netherlands to participate in Eurovision 2027, though Dutch public channels will still broadcast the contest

Dutch broadcaster steps leading to withdrawal

• ▪Approximately 400 NPO staff members sent a letter urging the Dutch public broadcaster to withdraw from the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest over Israel's participation
• ▪Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, which managed Dutch Eurovision entries for a decade, pulled out in August 2026, stating the event was no longer neutral during a major military conflict
• ▪NPO received dozens of formal complaints after announcing its initial Sept. 23 decision to take over responsibility for the Dutch Eurovision entry
• ▪Dutch public broadcaster NPO initially stepped in on September 23, 2026 to assume responsibility for the Dutch 2027 Eurovision entry before reversing its decision on October 27, 2026

European Broadcasting Union response

• ▪European Broadcasting Union director Martin Green expressed deep regret over the Dutch withdrawal while stating respect for feelings in the Netherlands and emphasizing Eurovision's unifying mission
• ▪European Broadcasting Union director Martin Green stated that organizers look forward to welcoming a Dutch entry again when the Netherlands feels the time is right to rejoin the Eurovision Song Contest

Protests and controversy surrounding Israel

• ▪Israel's military campaign in Gaza sparked by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks led to public division and calls for Israel's exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest
• ▪Eurovision Song Contest events in Malmo, Basel, and Vienna experienced pro-Palestinian demonstrations and heightened security surrounding Israel's participation

Other nations' 2027 boycott positions

• ▪A head of Spain's public broadcaster publicly advocated for a boycott of the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is permitted to compete
• ▪Ireland announced it will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, marking its second consecutive annual boycott over Israel's inclusion

2026 Eurovision Song Contest boycotts

• ▪Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia refused to broadcast the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest held in Vienna after pulling out over Israel's participation
• ▪The Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia boycotted the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna over Israel's participation, contributing to a 35 million decline in total TV viewership

2026 Eurovision Song Contest results

• ▪Israel finished as runner-up in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna for the second consecutive year, scoring 343 points
• ▪Bulgarian singer Dara won the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna with 516 points from jury and public televotes