Netherlands withdraws from 2027 Eurovision over Israel’s participation
The Netherlands will not take part in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, with public broadcaster NPO citing sensitivities surrounding Israel’s participation. Its executive chairman said it was too early to participate, while acknowledging that the decision would disappoint Dutch fans; the contest will still be shown on public channels.
The contest is due to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, after the country won for the first time in May. The Netherlands joins Ireland among announced withdrawals linked to Israel’s participation, while Czechia cited spending cuts and Spain’s public broadcaster head has backed a boycott. The dispute follows protests at recent contests over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which began after Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel.
In short
- The Netherlands will skip Eurovision 2027.
- NPO cited sensitivities over Israel’s participation.
- The contest is scheduled for Burgas, Bulgaria.
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The case for
Withdrawing can be defended as a principled response to the sensitivities surrounding Israel’s participation and the protests connected to the war in Gaza. A public broadcaster may judge that taking part would appear to endorse business as usual, and that stepping back is a way to reflect serious public concern while still showing the contest to viewers.
The case against
Taking part can be defended as preserving Eurovision’s role as a cultural event that brings audiences and performers together across political divides. A withdrawal may disappoint fans and artists, reduce opportunities for cultural exchange, and do little to influence the conflict; supporters of participation may prefer the contest to remain open while broadcasters express concerns through other means.
Explained simply
Eurovision is an annual song contest in which participating countries send performers to compete, with entries judged by national juries and public votes. It is organised by the European Broadcasting Union, a group of public service broadcasters, and is watched by audiences across Europe and beyond.
The Netherlands’ public broadcaster, NPO, chooses and supports the country’s entry. Israel is also a regular participant, and its involvement has become contentious amid the war in Gaza, which followed Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel. Protests at recent contests have led some broadcasters to reconsider taking part.
Withdrawals matter because broadcasters decide whether to enter and help fund and stage the contest. Bulgaria is due to host in Burgas after winning the 2026 competition; how many countries take part can affect the event’s scale and the range of entries viewers see.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Netherlands pulls out of next year’s Eurovision because of ‘sensitivities’ over Israel”.