Netherlands says Eurovision is ‘no longer’ neutral as it withdraws from 2027 contest over Gaza‑linked divisions

The Netherlands has announced it will not take part in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, citing divisions over the Gaza war as the reason for its withdrawal. AVROTROS, the broadcaster responsible, stated that the event can "no longer be considered neutral" because international conflicts are increasingly impacting the contest and undermining its neutral character.

Taco Zimmerman, the Director-General of AVROTROS, expressed disappointment in the statement, saying it is "painful" for the Netherlands to miss the contest. The broadcaster remains committed to its values, however. The decision comes after a series of boycotts over Israel's participation in recent years. Bulgaria will host the 2027 event on May 15 in Burgas, marking the first time the Balkan nation will host the contest.

The 2026 Eurovision contest was watched by 131 million viewers, down 35 million from the previous year due to the boycotts. The Netherlands, along with Iceland, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia, pulled out of the competition, with the latter three refusing to broadcast the show. The Dutch have participated in the contest since its inception in 1956 and have won five times, with Duncan Laurence's Arcade winning in 2019.