The withdrawal will keep the Netherlands out of Eurovision for a second consecutive year.
By Shula Rosen
The Netherlands will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 in Bulgaria in May after Dutch public broadcasters abandoned plans to return to the competition amid protests over Israel’s participation, Reuters reported Tuesday.
The withdrawal will keep the Netherlands out of Eurovision for a second consecutive year.
It was among five countries that boycotted the 2026 contest because Israel participated, along with Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland.
AVROTROS, the broadcaster that had managed the Dutch Eurovision delegation for years, announced in August that it would not participate in the 2027 competition because of its opposition to Israel’s inclusion.
NPO appeared to reverse that course a month later, announcing that it would take responsibility for choosing the Netherlands’ representative and preparing its delegation.
The proposed return prompted opposition from within Dutch public broadcasting.
About 400 employees signed a letter titled #NietMijnSongfestival (“Not My Eurovision”), objecting to participation in a contest that included Israel.
Signatories also criticized what they said was a lack of sufficient consultation before the decision.
Seven public broadcasters separately requested explanations from NPO management about the decision-making process and financing of the Eurovision delegation.
Protests also took place in Hilversum over the weekend, where dozens of people joined a demonstration organized by pro-Palestinian groups including Extinction Rebellion and The Rights Forum.
Protesters demanded a boycott while Israel remains in Eurovision, while the BDS movement in the Netherlands threatened a nationwide campaign against participation.
Ireland has already announced that its boycott will continue in 2027. Calls have also been made in Spain for the country to remain outside the competition next year.
The European Broadcasting Union expressed regret over the Dutch decision.
“We are very sorry that the Dutch broadcaster NPO will now not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. We understand the decision and respect the strength of the feelings behind it in the Netherlands,” the EBU said.
The organization also noted that the Netherlands was a founding Eurovision country and has been part of the competition since its inaugural edition in 1956.
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