Netherlands Withdraws From 2027 Eurovision Song Contest Over Israel Participation
The Netherlands will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest for the second year in a row, according to a statement released on August 24, 2026, by Dutch public service broadcaster Avrotros. The broadcaster cited ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and deep divisions over Israel’s participation as the core reasons for withdrawing from the world’s biggest live televised music event, marking another major blow to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
Avrotros pointed directly to what it described as a lack of neutrality within the competition. In its official announcement, the broadcaster stated that the contest can no longer be considered neutral given humanitarian suffering in Gaza and ongoing restrictions on press freedom. According to Avrotros Director-General Taco Zimmerman, international conflicts are increasingly affecting the show and undermining its character as a platform meant to bring people and countries together. Over the past year, the broadcaster called on the EBU to establish transparent rules for countries involved in military conflicts, but concluded that recently announced changes by organizers do not provide sufficient confidence that the independent and neutral character of the event has been restored.
Earlier this month, Eurovision organizers announced that winning countries will be ineligible to host the competition if they are involved in armed conflict or sensitive geopolitical situations. However, those policy updates did not rule out allowing such countries to participate. That distinction failed to satisfy Avrotros, which chose to step away once again following a turbulent 2026 season. Last year’s competition in Vienna, Austria, saw a severe wave of boycotts over Israel’s inclusion amid its military actions in Gaza. The Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia all pulled out of the 2026 event, with Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia refusing to broadcast the show entirely. The protests culminated in demonstrations in Vienna, including a large gathering organized by Palestine Solidarity Austria. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International also criticized the EBU for not suspending Israel, contrasting the handling of the situation with the immediate ban imposed on Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The widespread boycotts and controversies severely impacted viewership metrics for the franchise. The 2026 competition drew 131 million viewers globally, marking a significant drop of 35 million viewers compared to the previous year. Despite the mounting pressure and Dutch withdrawals, Israeli entries have remained competitive, finishing second in both the 2025 and 2026 contests. Next year’s competition is scheduled to take place on May 15, 2027, in Burgas, Bulgaria, following Bulgarian singer Darina Yotova—performing under the monikered stage name Dara—winning the 2026 title with her song “Bangaranga.”
Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green responded to the announcement by stating that organizers regret the decision made by Avrotros but respect the views of their member broadcasters. Green emphasized that the contest has historically functioned as a space to celebrate diverse communities, noting that dialogue will continue with NPO, the umbrella organization for Dutch public service media, to explore opportunities for another broadcaster to participate and ensure Dutch audiences and artists remain represented.
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