Dutch say won’t participate in ‘no longer’ neutral Eurovision

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

The Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia pulled out of the contest, with some refusing to broadcast the show due to Israel's participation.

The Netherlands will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria, the state broadcaster has said, citing divisions over the situation in Gaza. It's the second time the country is boycotting the event.

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said it will not participate in next year’s song contest as ‘one of the participating countries is still involved in a large-scale military conflict’.

The Netherlands will not participate in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, its broadcaster has said, adding that the event can “no longer be considered neutral” given divisions over the Gaza war. “It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the contest, undermining its neutral character.

The 2026 competition was watched by 131 million viewers, down 35 million on the year before after five countries boycotted it over Israel's participation.