Netherlands Withdraws From Eurovision Over Israel's Participation
The Dutch public broadcaster reversed a September decision to return to the contest after backlash from employees and media personalities.
The Netherlands has announced its withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest, reversing a September decision to participate. The Dutch public broadcaster NPO stated that it was unable to secure a broadcaster willing to send a Dutch artist to the event.
"Due to the sensitivities surrounding the themes currently at play, we have decided to take a step back for the time being,” said Jet de Ranitz, director of NPO. The organization had initially planned to return for the 2027 edition as a joint project between several public broadcasters.
This decision follows a backlash against the planned return. Earlier in October, hundreds of NPO employees sent a letter opposing Dutch participation, and several prominent Dutch media personalities publicly objected to the move. De Ranitz noted that while discussions initially suggested sufficient support for returning, the willingness of broadcasters to facilitate participation ultimately did not materialize.
In 2026, five European countries—Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia—boycotted the Eurovision Song Contest. Their withdrawal was in protest of organizers declining to exclude Israel over its conduct in the war against Hamas in Gaza and actions against Palestinians in the West Bank.
NPO will still broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest. The 2026 final, won by Bulgarian singer Dara, was watched by 130 million viewers worldwide, a decrease from the 160 million viewers in 2025. Next year's competition is scheduled to take place in Bulgaria.