Netherlands Boycotts 2027 Eurovision Song Contest Over Gaza Conflict

The Dutch public broadcaster Avrotros announced on August 24, 2026, that the Netherlands will boycott the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas, Bulgaria. The organization stated the event can no longer be considered neutral due to geopolitical tensions and divisions surrounding the war in Gaza.

This decision marks the second consecutive year of withdrawal. In 2026, the Netherlands joined Spain, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia in a political boycott to protest Israel's participation. While the European Broadcasting Union recently implemented rules barring countries involved in armed conflicts from hosting the competition, Avrotros dismissed these changes as insufficient to restore confidence in the contest's independent character.

Director-General Taco Zimmermann stated that international conflicts have turned the competition into a "platform for division." Avrotros is now demanding a clear framework to assess the eligibility of countries involved in military conflicts. The broadcaster has handed the final decision regarding the Netherlands' overall participation to the NPO, the umbrella organization for the Dutch public broadcasting system, which will determine if another state broadcaster will take over the role.

The 2027 contest is scheduled for May 15 in Burgas, following Bulgaria's victory in the 2026 event held in Vienna, Austria.