Dutch broadcaster Avrotros has officially confirmed its withdrawal from the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. The decision marks a significant departure for the organization, which has historically been a consistent participant in the annual musical event.

The primary justification provided by Avrotros centers on the perceived loss of neutrality within the competition. The broadcaster stated that the contest can no longer be viewed as a neutral platform while a participating nation remains actively engaged in a large-scale military conflict. While Avrotros did not explicitly name a specific country in its official statement regarding the conflict, Sky News reports that the boycott is a direct protest against Israel's participation in the event amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

There is a slight variation in how the motivation for this withdrawal is being presented. The BBC frames the decision as a broad stance against the inclusion of any nation involved in a major military conflict, focusing on the broadcaster's stated concern for the contest's neutrality. Conversely, Sky News characterizes the move specifically as a boycott targeting Israel's involvement. As of now, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which oversees the Eurovision Song Contest, has not issued a detailed response to the Dutch broadcaster's decision to exit the 2027 competition.