Dutch broadcaster pulls out of 2027 Eurovision over Gaza conflict

Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS announced Monday it will withdraw from the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, citing the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The broadcaster stated that international conflicts increasingly affect the contest, undermining its neutral character.

AVROTROS Director-General Taco Zimmerman expressed the difficulty of the decision, noting that the Eurovision Song Contest was created to unite people and countries. "It is painful as we would have very much liked to be part of the Contest again next year,” he said. The broadcaster remains committed to its values, which guide its decisions even when it means stepping away from an event it cherishes.

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The Eurovision Song Contest was originally created to bring people and countries together. It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the Contest, undermining its neutral character.

The responsibility for Dutch participation in Eurovision has been returned to the NPO, the umbrella organization for Dutch public broadcasting. The NPO will determine if another state broadcaster will assume the role. AVROTROS also called for a clear framework to assess which countries involved in military conflicts should be allowed to participate.

This is not the first time AVROTROS has withdrawn due to geopolitical tensions. The broadcaster was among those that boycotted the 2026 competition over Israel's participation, alongside Spain, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia.

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As a public broadcaster, we remain committed to our values. They guide us in everything we do, even when that means stepping away from an event that is very close to our hearts. That is painful as we would have very much liked to be part of the Contest again next year.