Netherlands withdraws from Eurovision over Israel participation
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 12:02 · Archive
The Netherlands has withdrawn from the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, reversing a September decision to return.
The Netherlands announced on Tuesday that it was withdrawing from the Eurovision Song Contest, reversing a decision in September to return to the competition. NPO, the umbrella organisation for Dutch public broadcasters, said it was unable to secure a broadcaster willing to send a Dutch artist. The organisation's director, Jet de Ranitz, said: 'Due to the sensitivities surrounding the themes currently at play, we have decided to take a step back for the time being.'
The Netherlands was among five longtime participants — Spain, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia also among them — that boycotted the 2026 edition after organisers declined to remove Israel from the competition over its conduct of the war against Hamas in Gaza and violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. In May, 35 countries participated in the 2026 edition.
NPO had initially planned to return to the 2027 edition as a joint project co-ordinated by the umbrella organisation. However, the decision sparked significant internal backlash. Earlier this month, hundreds of NPO employees sent a letter opposing Dutch participation, and a number of prominent Dutch media personalities publicly objected to the move.
How it is being reported
- After pushback, the Dutch reverse course and withdraw from Eurovision againThe Netherlands is withdrawing from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest, reversing a decision in September to return to the show.Clickorlando · 27 Oct, 11:44
- After pushback, the Dutch reverse course and withdraw from Eurovision againThe Netherlands is withdrawing from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest, reversing a decision in September to return to the show.News4Jax · 27 Oct, 11:44
In this story: Netherlands · Eurovision Song Contest · NPO · Israel · Spain · Ireland · Iceland · Slovenia
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