Iceland becomes fifth country to boycott Eurovision

Iceland has joined Spain, Eire, Slovenia and the Netherlands in saying it’ll boycott the 2026 Eurovision Track Contest.

All 5 nations have withdrawn after Israel’s participation within the competitors was formally confirmed final week.

Stefan Eiriksson, director-general of Icelandic nationwide broadcaster RÚV, mentioned: “There isn’t a peace or pleasure linked to this contest as issues stand now. On that foundation, at first, we’re stepping again whereas the scenario is as it’s.”

RÚV mentioned Israel’s participation had “created disunity amongst each members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and most of the people”.

The broadcaster’s board agreed the choice at a gathering on Wednesday, hours earlier than the deadline for nations to substantiate whether or not they’ll be part of what’s purported to be a celebratory seventieth anniversary version of the tune contest subsequent Could.

Iceland was believed to be the final remaining nation to announce its resolution.

Eurovision director Martin Inexperienced mentioned: “We respect the choice of all broadcasters who’ve chosen to not take part in subsequent yr’s Eurovision Track Contest and hope to welcome them again quickly.”

Israel’s presence at Eurovision has been an rising supply of stress, due to the struggle in Gaza and issues in regards to the voting and campaigning processes, together with accusations that Israel’s authorities tried to affect the general public vote at this yr’s occasion.

A brand new raft of measures designed to guard the integrity of the vote was accepted at an EBU summit final week, after which most nations confirmed they might journey to Vienna for the 2026 contest.

The Icelandic broadcaster’s board had beforehand accepted a advice to ask the EBU to ban Israel from Eurovision 2026.

Iceland was reportedly amongst seven nations that then requsted a vote on the EBU basic assembly on Israel’s participation.

That request was denied, and Israel’s future participation was as a substitute successfully tied to a poll on the brand new voting and campaigning guidelines.

The Icelandic broadcaster mentioned that whereas the brand new measures addressed a lot of its issues, it “believes that there are nonetheless doubts whether or not the agreed changes could be absolutely passable”.

“RÚV has repeadly raised issues that varied Icelandic stakeholders, reminiscent of artist associations and most of the people, have been against participation within the contest.

“Moreover, RÚV had requested the EBU to exclude [Israeli public broadcaster] KAN from the competition in accordance to precedents.

“It’s a complicated matter which has already broken the competition’s fame and EBU, emphasizing the need of an answer for all involved events.”

Based on a transcript of Thursday’s assembly equipped by KAN, the broadcaster’s chief govt Golan Yochpaz criticised these making an attempt to get Israel thrown out.

“The try to take away KAN from the competition can solely be understood as a cultural boycott,” he mentioned. “A boycott might start at present with Israel, however nobody is aware of the place it’ll finish or who else it might hurt.

“Is that this what we actually need this contest to be remembered for on its seventieth anniversary?”

Israel has taken half in Eurovision since 1973 as a result of KAN, its public broadcaster, is a member of the EBU, which organises the competitors.

Israel has gained 4 instances, most just lately in 2018, and got here second within the 2025 contest.

Iceland has by no means gained however got here second in 1999 and 2009.

In the meantime, Poland confirmed on Wednesday that it’ll participate in subsequent yr’s contest.

“We’re conscious of the dimensions of tensions surrounding the upcoming version. We perceive the feelings and issues,” broadcaster TVP mentioned.

“Nevertheless, we consider that Eurovision nonetheless has an opportunity to as soon as once more grow to be an area full of music – and solely music.

“We’re giving it that likelihood, simply because the overwhelming majority of EBU members are.”