00:01The Netherlands will not participate in 2027's Eurovision Song Contest after all.
00:08NPO, the umbrella organization for public broadcasters in the country,
00:12has reversed its earlier decision to return to the contest,
00:16after Dutch public broadcaster Avratos had announced in August that it would not take part
00:22because of Israel's presence in the lineup.
00:24The decision to return to the competition was met with widespread criticism
00:29and around 400 NPO employees signed a letter urging the organization to reconsider its participation.
00:37In a statement, NPO's director, Jet Duranyits, said NPO was unable to secure a broadcaster who would send a Dutch
00:44artist.
00:45NPO will still broadcast the event.
00:48Eurovision director Martin Green said he was deeply sorry that the Netherlands would not take part,
00:54but added that we understand their decision and we respect the strength of feeling behind it.
