Netherlands Withdraws From Eurovision 2027 Amid Protests Over Israel's Participation
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
The Netherlands has withdrawn from the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 due to protests against Israel's participation. This decision reverses a prior announcement of the country's return to the competition. The withdrawal follows internal protests from broadcasting employees and external demonstrations by pro-Palestinian groups. The Netherlands had previously boycotted Eurovision 2026 over Israel's involvement.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Netherlands will not compete in Eurovision 2027 due to protests against Israel's participation.
- The decision reverses a recent announcement that the Netherlands would return to the contest.
- Hundreds of Dutch broadcasting employees protested the decision internally.
- Pro-Palestinian groups demonstrated in Hilversum, calling for a boycott.
- The Netherlands also boycotted Eurovision 2026 over Israel's involvement.
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 announcement that the Netherlands would return after missing the previous year's event. The decision comes just a month after the public broadcaster NPO stated it would facilitate the Netherlands' return to Eurovision. Previously, broadcaster AVROTROS had announced its refusal to participate in Eurovision 2027 due to opposition to Israel's inclusion.
The move has sparked significant controversy 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 have requested clarification from the NPO regarding the decision-making process and the funding of the delegation.
Protests have also taken to the streets. Last weekend, a demonstration organized by pro-Palestinian groups, including Extinction Rebellion and The Rights Forum, took place in Hilversum, the hub of Dutch broadcasting. Demonstrators called for a boycott of Eurovision as long as Israel participates, with speeches, musical performances, and the reading of 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, alongside Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland. Ireland has already announced its continued boycott of the 2027 contest, and calls for a similar boycott are being heard in Spain.
