Netherlands to return to Eurovision 2027 after broadcaster's 2026 withdrawal
The Netherlands is set to rejoin Eurovision in 2027 after its broadcaster's 2026 withdrawal, though outlets differ on how they characterize the reasons, with some citing Israel's participation directly and others framing it around the Gaza conflict or contest neutrality.
What happened
The Netherlands will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, after its previous broadcaster withdrew from the 2026 contest.1234567
Sky News, The Times of Israel and The Jerusalem Post link the withdrawal directly to Israel's participation in the contest, while RTÉ News frames it around the wider Gaza conflict; the Dutch public broadcaster NPO is stepping in to lead the country's return.2356
NPO said it would take part despite "mixed feelings," according to The Times of Israel, which also reported that Belgium will participate in 2027 while stating this is "not an endorsement of what is happening in Gaza."3
Anadolu Agency reported the original broadcaster's withdrawal was linked to concerns about the contest's neutrality.7
What's agreed
Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.
- The Netherlands will participate in Eurovision 2027 after its previous broadcaster withdrew from the 2026 contest.1234567
- The withdrawal that led to the Netherlands' absence has been linked by several outlets to Israel's participation in Eurovision.236
- NPO, the Dutch public broadcaster, will take charge of the country's return to the contest.3456
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
Reason for the original broadcaster's withdrawal
The Jerusalem Post and Sky News
AVROTROS withdrew specifically over Israel's participation in the contest.26
Anadolu Agency
The Dutch broadcaster withdrew over concerns about the contest's neutrality, without specifying Israel by name in this framing.7
RTÉ News
The broadcaster pulled out over the Gaza conflict more broadly.5
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| Israeli outletsMiddle East & Turkey | Israeli outlets report Israel's participation as the reason cited for the boycott and its reversal, and note broadcasters' statements distancing themselves from endorsing events in Gaza.36 | Israel's participation as central issue, mixed feelings from broadcasters, Belgium's Gaza disclaimer |
| Turkish state mediaMiddle East & Turkey | Anadolu Agency frames the withdrawal in terms of broader concerns about the contest's neutrality rather than centering Israel explicitly in its headline framing.7 | contest neutrality concerns, procedural framing of withdrawal |
| European outletsEurope | Sky News explicitly names Israel's participation as the reason for the boycott and its reversal, while RTÉ News frames the change around the Gaza conflict and a broadcaster replacement without detailing Israel specifically.25 | broadcaster replacement, Gaza conflict as backdrop |
| African and Southeast Asian outletsAfrica | MyJoyOnline and Malay Mail report the return with minimal detail on the specific cause, emphasizing the broadcaster change and end of absence rather than the Israel dispute in depth.14 | end of absence from contest, broadcaster transition |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed detailed the specific reasoning or internal discussions behind AVROTROS's original decision to withdraw.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported reactions from Israeli officials or the Eurovision organizing body (EBU) to the Netherlands' announcement.
- None of the outlets reviewed clarified whether other countries besides Belgium and the Netherlands had also withdrawn or are reconsidering participation.
- None of the outlets reviewed provided detail on what changes, if any, are being made to the contest's format or Israel's participation status for 2027.
Why it matters
Sources (7)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
Europe
- 2Sky NewsGBPrivate
Netherlands to return to Eurovision as it drops boycott over Israel participation
- 5RTÉ NewsIEPublic broadcaster
Middle East & Turkey
- 3The Times of IsraelILPrivate
Netherlands ends Eurovision boycott over Israel, announcing return to 2027 contest
- 6The Jerusalem PostILPrivate
Netherlands to return to Eurovision 2027 after boycotting Israel’s participation
- 7Anadolu AgencyTRState-controlled
Africa
- 1MyJoyOnlineGHPrivate
Southeast Asia
- 4Malay MailMYPrivate
Netherlands to return to Eurovision in 2027 with new public broadcaster