Netherlands withdraws from 2027 Eurovision, saying contest is no longer ‘neutral’

The Netherlands will not participate in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, its broadcaster said on Monday, saying the event can “no longer be considered neutral” given divisions over the Gaza war, Euronews writes.

“It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the Contest, undermining its neutral character. The Eurovision Song Contest has therefore become a platform for division,” said Taco Zimmerman, Director-General of AVROTROS, in a statement from the broadcaster.

Earlier this month, organizers announced they were excluding any country involved in an armed conflict from hosting the competition.

The contest has recently been hit by a wave of boycotts over Israel’s participation. However, Israel came close to winning the competition in both 2025 and 2026, ultimately finishing second on each occasion.