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Thursday, December 11, 2025
Image: Quejaytee.
This Wednesday, Iceland withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia. All countries backed out of the contest due to European Broadcasting Union confirming Israel’s participation in the 2026 edition.
After four countries withdrew from the 2026 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, Iceland’s broadcaster, RÚV, planned a board meeting this Wednesday to consider the country’s participation in the contest. The broadcaster decided not to participate in the 2026 edition of the contest, also requesting for the European Broadcasting Union to remove Israel, too. The broadcaster cited the conduct of Israel in the Gaza war.
“Given the public debate in this country and the reactions to the decision of the EBU that was taken last week, it is clear that neither joy nor peace will prevail regarding the participation of RÚV in Eurovision,” RÚV said in a statement. In addition, RÚV stated that Israel’s participation “created disunity among both members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the general public” and that “the Song Contest and Eurovision have always had the aim of uniting the Icelandic nation, but it is now clear that this aim cannot be achieved, and it is on these program-related grounds that this decision is taken.”
Golan Yochpaz, the chief executive of the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, called it a “cultural boycott.” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar articulated his shame for countries boycotting the contest.
Instead, European Broadcasting Union officials decided to implement voting changes to tackle irregular voting in previous events. Yet, organizers added that a vote on Israel’s participation was unnecessary, as seven countries, including Iceland, requested a vote for Israel’s participation.
Iceland has never won Eurovision, yet has the highest per capita audience of any country. Væb performed “Róa” in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest while representing Iceland.
Also this Wednesday, Poland has decided to stay in the Eurovision Song Contest stating that “Eurovision still has a chance to once again become a space filled with music. And only music,” adding that “we, like the overwhelming majority of EBU members, offer this opportunity.”
- Iceland becomes fifth country to boycott Eurovision Song Contest over Israel — France24, December 11, 2025
- Mark Savage and Ian Youngs. Iceland becomes fifth country to boycott Eurovision — BBC, December 10, 2025
- Jennifer Shahin. Eurovision chaos intensifies as Iceland becomes fifth nation to back out of contest over Israel’s participation — Sky News, December 11, 2025
- Iceland becomes fifth country to boycott Eurovision 2026 over Israeli participation — ABC News, December 11, 2025
- Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision; Spain, Ireland and others quit in protest — Rappler, December 5, 2025
- Allen Cone. Iceland becomes 5th nation to boycott Eurovision over Israel inclusion — UPI, December 10, 2025
