Netherlands make U-turn and pull out of Eurovision 2027

The Netherlands has pulled out of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, with public broadcaster NPO citing “sensitivities” over Israel‘s participation – reversing a previous decision to participate.

The Netherlands will not participate in 2027’s Eurovision Song Contest after all.

NPO, the umbrella organization for public broadcasters in the country, has reversed its earlier decision to return to the contest, after Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS had announced in August that it would not take part because of Israel’s presence in the line-up.

The decision to return to the competition was met with widespread criticism and around 400 NPO employees signed a letter urging the organisation to reconsider its participation.

In a statement, NPO’s director Jet de Ranitz said that NPO was unable to secure a broadcaster who would send a Dutch artist.

“In our coordinating role, we held discussions with the broadcasters to investigate whether there are any broadcasters willing to facilitate the participation of a Dutch artist. In those discussions, we initially felt there was sufficient support to return,” De Ranitz said.

“As a result, we must conclude that it is currently too early to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027.” He added: “Due to the sensitivities surrounding the themes currently at play, we have decided to take a step back for the time being.”

NPO will still broadcast the event.

Eurovision director Martin Green said he was “deeply sorry” that the Netherlands would not take part, but added that “we understand their decision, and we respect the strength of feeling behind it”.

He said in a statement: “We recognise that opinions about the Contest are deeply and sincerely held at the moment, and that they differ widely, both within countries and between them. We do not dismiss any of those views. Public service media exist to serve their audiences, and it is right that our Members weigh these questions carefully, in dialogue with their own communities.”

He added: “At the same time, we believe the Eurovision Song Contest matters in a divided world. It is one of the few moments each year when people from across Europe and beyond come together around music, creativity and shared experience. That spirit of unity is what the Contest has always stood for, and we are committed to protecting it.”

“We are very happy that the 2027 Contest will still be broadcast in the Netherlands and look forward to welcoming a Dutch entry again whenever NPO, its members and audiences feel the time is right.”

Ireland has already announced it will not take part in Eurovision 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, but cited spending cuts as the reason.

Last year, five countries – Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia – boycotted Eurovision after organizers declined to exclude Israel over its military actions in Gaza and violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

The Spanish broadcaster RTVE said at the time that it would not broadcast the contest or the semi-finals and criticised the decision-making process as “insufficient”. They said that the EBU’s decision to keep Israel as a competitor “increases RTVE’s distrust of the festival’s organisation and confirms the political pressure surrounding it.”

Irish broadcaster RTÉ stated: “RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.” As for Slovenian broadcaster RTVSLO, they said last year that taking part “would conflict with its values of peace, equality and respect” and that it was pulling out of the competition “on behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza”.

The 2026 competition drew 131 million viewers, down 35 million from the year before.

Eurovision 2027 will take place in Burgas in Bulgaria on 15 May, following Dara’s win in Vienna this year.

Source: www.euronews.com