The Netherlands will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest after the country’s public broadcasting organisation failed to secure support from any broadcaster willing to organise its entry, amid continued opposition to Israel’s participation.
The Dutch public broadcasting body, Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (NPO), announced the decision on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, reversing its earlier plan to return to the competition after the Netherlands boycotted the 2026 edition.
NPO said discussions with broadcasters had failed to produce sufficient support for participation, citing the sensitivity surrounding Israel’s involvement and the divisions it has created within Dutch society.
The decision follows months of controversy over Israel’s participation in Eurovision amid the ongoing political and humanitarian debate surrounding the war in Gaza.
In August 2026, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS announced that it would not participate in the competition, arguing that the event’s neutrality had been undermined by international conflicts and divisions over Israel.
NPO subsequently announced in September that it would organise the Netherlands’ return through an alternative arrangement. However, the plan faced opposition from other public broadcasters and employees who questioned the decision to participate while Israel remained in the competition.
According to reports, approximately 400 employees of Dutch public broadcasters signed a letter opposing the planned return. After further discussions failed to secure a broadcaster willing to facilitate the Dutch entry, NPO decided to withdraw from the 2027 contest.
Although the Netherlands will not send a singer or song to the competition, Dutch viewers will still be able to watch Eurovision. The public broadcaster NOS is expected to air the semifinals and final, including Dutch-language commentary and a preview programme.
NPO said it would continue discussions with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organisation responsible for Eurovision, about the competition’s future and its role in promoting music, cultural exchange and unity.
The Netherlands’ withdrawal follows similar decisions by several European countries that opposed Israel’s continued participation.
Ireland, Iceland, Spain and Slovenia also boycotted the 2026 contest over Israel’s involvement. Their decisions reflected concerns about the war in Gaza and the political implications of allowing Israel to compete. The withdrawals have placed renewed scrutiny on Eurovision’s claim to be a non-political cultural event, as organisers face pressure to balance participation rules with objections from broadcasters and audiences.
The 2027 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, with the grand final planned for May 15 and the semifinals on May 11 and 13. Despite the Netherlands’ decision not to compete, the event is expected to proceed with participating countries from across Europe and beyond.
The Dutch withdrawal highlights the continuing divisions surrounding Israel’s participation and raises further questions about how Eurovision organisers will address political disputes while maintaining the competition’s international appeal.
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