The Netherlands will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria, according to the state broadcaster. This decision marks the second time the country has boycotted the event.
AVROTROS described the competition as a platform for division due to tensions over Israel's involvement. The broadcaster stated that escalating international conflicts are undermining the event's neutrality and fueling divisions, adding that the contest can no longer be considered neutral while a participating country remains involved in a large-scale military conflict, specifically citing divisions over the situation in Gaza.
These tensions have previously impacted the contest's viewership. The 2026 competition was watched by 131 million viewers, which was 35 million fewer than the previous year after five countries boycotted the event over Israel's participation.