Netherlands Withdraws From 2027 Eurovision Amid Israel Controversy

Five countries are absent from the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest lineup after the Netherlands announced its withdrawal on Tuesday. The decision reverses a pledge made last month by the country's public broadcaster, NPO, which had committed to returning to the competition. The Dutch exit joins similar moves by Ireland, while Spain and the Czech Republic have also signaled their absence for different reasons.

NPO media director Jurre Bosman explained that Israel's participation creates friction within Dutch society. He stated that the issue causes discussion and division, leading the organization to forgo its entry. This marks a second consecutive year that a Dutch broadcaster will sit out the event. The network Avrotros, which organized the Dutch entry, previously announced it would not participate in 2027, prompting NPO to step in with its initial commitment.

Jet de Ranitz, the chair of NPO, detailed the internal deliberations that led to the final decision. She noted that while initial support for a return appeared sufficient, the organization failed to identify a suitable format for participation. De Ranitz concluded that the timing is too early due to sensitivities surrounding current themes. The broadcaster will continue to air the competition for domestic viewers, even without a national representative on stage.

Martin Green, the director of the Eurovision Song Contest, responded to the news with a statement of regret. He described the Dutch decision as understandable and respectful of the strength of feeling behind it. Green acknowledged that opinions on the contest differ widely across Europe. He emphasized that the event aims to provide a moment of unity in a divided world through music and creativity.

The withdrawal follows a pattern of dissent regarding Israel's presence at the 2026 contest. The Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia boycotted the previous edition, citing criticism of military actions in Gaza and the Middle East. Organizers have since announced changes to address these divisions, including rules to exclude countries involved in armed conflict from hosting rights. Voting mechanisms have also been adjusted in response to the controversy.

The 2027 contest will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, on 15 May. The venue was selected following the win of Irish singer Dara in Vienna this year with the track Bangaranga. The Czech public broadcaster has also pulled out of the 2027 lineup, though it attributed its decision to spending cuts rather than political sensitivities. The Irish public broadcaster has confirmed its absence, and the head of the Spanish public broadcaster has expressed support for a boycott.