Netherlands Withdraws From Eurovision 2027 Amid Protests Over Israel's Participation

The Netherlands will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, following a wave of protests against Israel's involvement. Public broadcasters in the country decided not to take part in the competition, a reversal of an earlier decision to return after a one-year absence. The Dutch public broadcaster NPO had announced in August that it would organize the country's participation in Eurovision 2027, after the AVROTROS broadcaster, which previously handled the delegation, stated it would not participate due to opposition to Israel's involvement.

The decision has sparked significant backlash within the Netherlands. Approximately 400 public broadcasting employees signed a protest letter, under the hashtag #NietMijnSongfestival (Not My Eurovision), demanding the NPO cancel the participation. They criticized the decision as insufficiently consultative and expressed opposition to competing in a contest featuring Israel. Additionally, seven public broadcasting bodies requested clarification from the NPO regarding the decision-making process and delegation funding.

Protests have also moved to the streets. Last weekend, dozens of demonstrators, including members of pro-Palestinian organizations like Extinction Rebellion and The Rights Forum, protested in Hilversum, where major Dutch broadcasters are located. Protesters called for a boycott of Eurovision as long as Israel participates, with speakers reading the names of journalists killed in Gaza. The BDS movement in the Netherlands has also threatened a nationwide protest campaign.

The Netherlands was one of five countries that boycotted Eurovision 2026 due to Israel's participation. Ireland has already announced it will continue its boycott of the 2027 contest, and calls for a continued boycott have also been heard in Spain.