A small country that had promised to return to the stage of Europe's most famous song contest has instead stepped back, its public broadcaster saying the moment is not yet right. The reasons trace a familiar human knot: a shared cultural ritual that asks people to set aside their differences for three minutes of music, while the differences themselves, rooted in the war in Gaza and the question of Israel's place in that continent-wide gathering, refuse to stay outside the door. The Netherlands joins Ireland and the Czech Republic in absence from Burgas next May, though one of those absences ha
Netherlands Withdraws from 2027 Eurovision Over Israel's Participation, Reversing Earlier Pledge
The return lasted about a month
Mark
Why is this reversal the part that stands out?
Mimi
Because NPO had stepped in last month specifically to overrule Avrotros's decision to stay out. Now NPO itself has backed away, so the return lasted about a month.
Mark
What reason does NPO give?
Mimi
Two things. Israel's participation causes discussion and division in Dutch society, and they couldn't find a suitable format for returning. Chair Jet de Ranitz said it's too early.
Luke
I'd note what that actually tells us. The format problem is stated, but we aren't told what formats were considered or what broadcasters objected to. The reporting gives the conclusion, not the internal debate.
Mark
And the Eurovision organisers' response?
Mimi
Martin Green said he was deeply sorry but respected the strength of feeling. He also defended the contest as a rare moment of unity.
Mark
Is this part of a wider pattern?
Mimi
Ireland is out for 2027, and Spain's broadcaster head favours a boycott. Five countries boycotted 2026 in total.
Luke
Careful with Spain. A favourable statement from the broadcaster's head is not a confirmed withdrawal. And the Czech exit is attributed to spending cuts, so it shouldn't be counted as part of the Israel dispute.
Mark
Do the rule changes settle anything?
Luke
Nothing in the reporting says so. Barring countries in armed conflict from hosting and altering the voting are announced changes, but there's no evidence yet of how they'll land with the broadcasters who objected.
Mimi
What's fixed is the date and place: Burgas, Bulgaria, 15 May.
Le Pouls
- The Dutch broadcaster NPO reversed its promise to return to Eurovision 2027, leaving fans disappointed and the contest's future participation in doubt.
- Division over Israel's participation has already cost the contest five countries that boycotted this year's event, amid anger over military action in Gaza.
- Organisers are scrambling to steady the ship with new rules, barring countries in armed conflict from hosting and reworking how votes are cast.
- Ireland is staying away next year and Spain's broadcaster has openly backed a boycott, with the Czech Republic's exit tied to budget cuts instead.
- The 2027 contest in Burgas on 15 May now hangs on whether more broadcasters follow the Netherlands out the door.
A small country that had promised to return to the stage of Europe's most famous song contest has instead stepped back, its public broadcaster saying the moment is not yet right. The reasons trace a familiar human knot: a shared cultural ritual that asks people to set aside their differences for three minutes of music, while the differences themselves, rooted in the war in Gaza and the question of Israel's place in that continent-wide gathering, refuse to stay outside the door. The Netherlands joins Ireland and the Czech Republic in absence from Burgas next May, though one of those absences has less to do with conscience than with the arithmetic of public budgets. What remains is a question the contest itself must now answer: whether an event built on unity can hold a room where people genuinely disagree.
On Tuesday, the Dutch public broadcaster NPO announced that the Netherlands would not compete in Eurovision 2027. It was a sharp turn: only a month earlier, the same body had promised the country's return.
The story began with this year's contest. The Netherlands was among five nations that stayed away in 2026, after the Dutch broadcaster Avrotros withdrew over Israel's participation and the military campaign in Gaza. NPO stepped in, pledging a comeback for next year. That pledge is now gone.
NPO's media director, Jurre Bosman, said Israel's presence stirs strong and divided feelings across Dutch society. Chair Jet de Ranitz explained that discussions with broadcasters had seemed to point toward return, but no workable format could be found. The time, she said, is too early, and the organisation would step back for now. Fans who had hoped to watch a Dutch act were told the contest would still be shown in the Netherlands.
Contest director Martin Green said he was deeply sorry but understood the decision and respected the feeling behind it. He framed Eurovision as one of the few yearly occasions when Europeans gather around music across their differences, and said the door remains open for a Dutch entry when the moment is right.
Organisers have already changed the rules in response to the turmoil. Countries involved in armed conflict will no longer be eligible to host, and the voting system is being adjusted. Still, Ireland has also said it will not take part in 2027, and the Spanish public broadcaster's leader has spoken in favour of a boycott. The Czech broadcaster is also out, though it points to spending cuts rather than politics.
The next contest is set for 15 May in Burgas, Bulgaria, after Dara's victory in Vienna with Bangaranga. Attention now turns to Spain, and to whether the empty seats will multiply.
On Tuesday, the Dutch public broadcasting body NPO announced that the Netherlands will not compete in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, undoing a pledge it made only a month earlier to bring the country back.
The reversal has a short history. The Netherlands was one of five countries that boycotted this year's contest, after the Dutch network Avrotros withdrew. Avrotros said at the time that it would also stay out next year. NPO, which oversees public broadcasting in the country, then stepped in and said last month that the Netherlands would return in 2027. That commitment has now been dropped.
NPO's media director, Jurre Bosman, said Israel's participation "elicits various reactions in society and causes discussion and division," and that NPO had decided to forgo taking part in 2027. NPO chair Jet de Ranitz described how the decision came about. The organisation had held discussions with broadcasters about participating next year, and in her words there initially seemed to be enough support to return. But no suitable format could be found. She concluded that it is currently too early to take part, and that, given the sensitivities around the themes at play, NPO would take a step back for the time being.
NPO acknowledged that some Dutch fans may be disappointed. It said the contest will still be broadcast in the Netherlands.
The Eurovision Song Contest's director, Martin Green, said he was deeply sorry the Netherlands would not take part, but added that organisers understand the decision and respect the strength of feeling behind it. He said opinions about the contest differ widely, both within countries and between them, and that organisers do not dismiss any of those views. He also made the case for the event: in a divided world, he said, it is one of the few moments each year when people from across Europe and beyond come together around music, creativity and shared experience. He said organisers are committed to protecting that spirit, and would welcome a Dutch entry again when they feel the time is right.
The Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia all boycotted the 2026 contest over Israel's participation, amid criticism of its military actions in Gaza and the Middle East. Organisers have since announced changes meant to ease the divisions. Any country involved in an armed conflict will be excluded from hosting the competition, and the voting is also being altered.
The Dutch withdrawal is not the only one. Ireland will not take part in 2027, and the head of the Spanish public broadcaster has come out in favour of a boycott. The Czech public broadcaster has also pulled out, though it cited spending cuts rather than Israel as its reason.
The 2027 contest is scheduled for 15 May in Burgas, Bulgaria, following Dara's win in Vienna this year with the dance track Bangaranga. Whether Spain follows the Netherlands and Ireland out is the next thing to watch.
Citations marquantes
Due to the sensitivities surrounding the themes currently at play, we have decided to take a step back for the time being.— Jet de Ranitz, NPO chair
We understand their decision, and we respect the strength of feeling behind it.— Martin Green, Eurovision Song Contest director
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