Dutch Broadcaster AVROTROS Boycotts Eurovision 2027 Over Israel's Participation Amid Gaza Conflict

The Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS announced on Monday that it will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, continuing its protest against Israel's participation in the competition amid the ongoing war in Gaza. This decision follows AVROTROS's earlier boycott of Eurovision 2026 for the same reasons. The broadcaster criticized the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for lacking clear rules on suspending countries involved in military conflicts and claimed that recent changes by the EBU failed to restore the contest's "independent and neutral" character.

AVROTROS's announcement marks the second consecutive year it has chosen to abstain from Eurovision due to Israel's involvement. The broadcaster had taken a firm stance against Israel's participation ahead of the 2026 contest and ultimately followed through on its boycott after the EBU allowed Israel to compete. However, AVROTROS clarified that the final decision regarding Dutch representation lies with NPO, the umbrella organization for public broadcasting in the Netherlands, leaving open the possibility that another Dutch broadcaster might participate.

The boycott reflects broader tensions within European broadcasting circles, where Israel's participation in Eurovision has sparked controversy amid the Gaza conflict. The Netherlands was among the countries that boycotted the 2026 contest after the EBU declined to exclude Israel. AVROTROS maintains that the EBU's subsequent adjustments are insufficient to change its position. The ongoing dispute highlights the intersection of cultural events and geopolitical conflicts in Europe.