Dutch broadcaster pulls out of Eurovision over Israel ‘sensitivities’

The Netherlands has decided not to participate in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest due to "sensitivities" over Israel’s involvement, according to public broadcaster NPO. This comes after a series of other countries, including Ireland, Spain, and the Czech Republic, have either withdrawn or expressed their unwillingness to participate due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

NPO's media director Jurre Bosman stated that the decision was made after consulting with the Board of Broadcasters, citing the division and discussion caused by Israel’s inclusion in the annual music festival. The Dutch decision marks the latest in a series of withdrawals, with five countries participating in the 2026 contest boycotting it due to the same issue.

The 2027 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Bulgaria on May 15 for the first time. Eurovision, which began in 1955, has been a platform for launching international pop stars, with notable winners including ABBA, Celine Dion, and Duncan Laurence. The latest contest saw 131 million viewers, down 35 million from the previous year due to the boycotts.