The Netherlands has withdrawn from the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, reversing plans to return after Dutch public broadcasters declined to organise an entry amid opposition to Israel's participation, NPO said on 27 October.
The decision follows weeks of criticism from broadcasting employees and public figures who opposed the country's return to the competition while Israel remains eligible to compete.
NPO, the umbrella organisation for Dutch public broadcasters, had announced in September that it intended to resume participation following a boycott of the 2026 contest. It has now abandoned that plan after failing to secure sufficient support among its member broadcasters.
Jurre Bosman, NPO's media director, said Israel's continued involvement had generated disagreement within Dutch society.
"We have known for some time that Israel's participation elicits various reactions in society and causes discussion and division," Bosman said in a statement reported by the Irish broadcaster RTÉ.
He said NPO had decided against participation following consultations with its Board of Broadcasters.
The withdrawal extends the Netherlands' absence from Eurovision after it joined four other countries in boycotting the 2026 competition over Israel's military offensive in Gaza and violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
NPO's executive chairman, Jet de Ranitz, said the organisation had explored whether another Dutch broadcaster could arrange the country's participation after AVROTROS, which traditionally manages the Dutch entry, refused to return.
Initial discussions suggested a possible route back into the contest, but the broadcaster was ultimately unable to secure the necessary cooperation.
"We must conclude that it is currently too early to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027," De Ranitz said.
She acknowledged that the withdrawal would disappoint Dutch Eurovision supporters but said the competition would still be televised through the country's public broadcasting system.
The decision follows opposition to NPO's earlier attempt to restore Dutch participation.
Around 400 employees signed a letter urging the organisation to reconsider, while several prominent Dutch media figures publicly criticised the proposed return, according to Euronews and Dutch media reports.
AVROTROS had already announced in August that it would not participate in the 2027 competition, arguing that Eurovision could no longer be regarded as neutral because of the controversy surrounding Israel and the war in Gaza.
NPO subsequently considered arranging the entry through other broadcasters, but the plan failed to gain enough support.
The European Broadcasting Union, which organises Eurovision, expressed disappointment at the Dutch decision.
Eurovision director Martin Green said the organisers understood the strength of feeling behind the withdrawal and respected NPO's position.
He also defended Eurovision's role in bringing audiences together across national and political divisions, while welcoming the decision to continue broadcasting the competition in the Netherlands.
The dispute has affected several longstanding Eurovision participants.
The Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Iceland and Slovenia all boycotted the 2026 contest after organisers declined to exclude Israel.
Ireland has announced that it will remain absent in 2027, while the head of Spain's public broadcaster has supported continuing the boycott.
Czech Television has also withdrawn from the 2027 edition, although it cited budget restrictions rather than Israel's participation.
The 2026 Eurovision final attracted approximately 130 million viewers worldwide, compared with 160 million in 2025, according to figures reported by AP.
Bulgaria will host the 71st Eurovision Song Contest in the Black Sea city of Burgas after Bulgarian singer Dara won the 2026 competition in Vienna.
The semi-finals are scheduled for 11 and 13 May 2027, with the grand final taking place on 15 May.
