Netherlands skips 2027 Eurovision over Israel's participation, NPO says

The Netherlands will not take part in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, Dutch public broadcasting body NPO said on Tuesday. The Jerusalem Post reported that NPO said no broadcaster was willing to take responsibility for the Dutch entry, citing concerns about Israel's participation. The BBC reported that NPO cited "sensitivities" over Israel's participation, reversing a previous decision to take part.

According to the BBC, the Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia all boycotted the 2026 contest over Israel's participation, amid criticism of its military actions in Gaza and the Middle East. The BBC also reported that Ireland will not take part in 2027 and that the Czech public broadcaster has pulled out too, citing spending cuts. Oz Arab Media, citing Al Jazeera, reported that NPO decided against taking part after consulting its board of broadcasters.

How we got here

• May: The Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, Spain and Slovenia boycotted the most recent contest, held in Vienna, in protest at Israel's participation and its military offensive in Gaza, the Jerusalem Post reported. Bulgaria's Dara won with "Bangaranga" and 516 points, while Israel finished runner-up with 343 points, the Jerusalem Post said.
• August: AVROTROS, which the Jerusalem Post said had managed the Netherlands' Eurovision participation for the past decade, announced it would also sit out 2027. The Jerusalem Post reported that AVROTROS said the contest "can no longer be considered neutral" while a participating country remains involved in a large-scale military conflict. The same outlet said AVROTROS handed responsibility for Dutch participation back to NPO that month.
• Sept. 23: NPO said the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) had taken "significant steps" on the contest's rules, according to the Jerusalem Post. The Jerusalem Post said NPO had stated it was confident the Netherlands would return in 2027, and the BBC said NPO pledged that the country would come back. The Jerusalem Post added, citing Dutch news, that NPO received dozens of complaints and around 400 staff members sent a letter urging it to withdraw.
• Tuesday: NPO media director Jurre Bosman said "Israel's participation elicits various reactions in society and causes discussion and division", and that NPO "has decided to forgo participation in 2027", the BBC reported. NPO chair Jet de Ranitz said: "Due to the sensitivities surrounding the themes currently at play, we have decided to take a step back for the time being." The BBC said NPO acknowledged some Dutch fans may be disappointed but that the contest would still be aired in the Netherlands.

The BBC also carried a response from Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green, who said he was "deeply sorry" that the Netherlands would not take part. Green said: "we understand their decision, and we respect the strength of feeling behind it". He said organisers looked forward to welcoming a Dutch entry again when they "feel the time is right".

What comes next

The Jerusalem Post reported that the next Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, from May 11 to 15, 2027. The BBC gave the date as 15 May.