Dutch broadcaster Avrotros pulls out of 2027 Eurovision over neutrality

Dutch public broadcaster Avrotros announced on Monday that it will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, saying the event can "no longer be considered neutral" due to divisions over the Gaza war. Source: AP News The decision marks the second consecutive year the Netherlands has boycotted the contest, following a wave of withdrawals in 2026 by Iceland, Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia over Israel's participation. Source: DW News

Reasons and reaction

Avrotros Director-General Taco Zimmerman said international conflicts are "increasingly affecting the Contest, undermining its neutral character," making it "a platform for division." Source: BBC The broadcaster cited "severe humanitarian suffering in Gaza" and "ongoing restrictions on press freedom" as contributing factors. Source: AP News Earlier this month, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) updated rules to bar countries involved in armed conflicts from hosting, but Avrotros said these changes "do not provide sufficient confidence that the independent and neutral character of the Eurovision Song Contest has been restored." Source: Euronews

What's next

The umbrella organization NPO said it respects the decision and will "reflect on the upcoming edition." Source: AP News EBU contest director Martin Green said the EBU regrets the move but will continue dialogue with NPO about another Dutch broadcaster potentially participating. Source: BBC The 2027 contest is scheduled for May 15 in Burgas, Bulgaria, after Bulgarian singer Dara won this year's event in Vienna. Source: Euronews