Netherlands withdraws from Eurovision 2027

The Netherlands has officially withdrawn from the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, as announced by the Dutch public broadcaster NPO on October 27, 2026. The decision was prompted by the ongoing controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in the competition, which has sparked significant public debate and societal division. NPO media director Jure Bosman confirmed that the move followed extensive consultations with the broadcaster's governing body, citing the need to address the sensitivity of the issue.

This announcement concludes months of internal deliberations within the Dutch broadcasting sector. Initially, the production entity AVROTROS had moved to withdraw in August 2026, claiming the contest could no longer be viewed as neutral due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Although the NPO briefly stepped in to assume control of the selection process one month later, it ultimately reversed its position and opted for a total withdrawal. The conflict itself, which began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas attacks on Israel that resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages, has led to a major humanitarian crisis in Gaza and caused widespread political friction for international events like Eurovision.