Iceland has decided to abstain from participating in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, according to the country’s public broadcaster, RUV. This move comes after the European Broadcasting Union gave the green light for Israel to compete in the upcoming event, which will take place in Vienna in May.
The approval of Israel’s participation has led to Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia withdrawing from the contest in protest, citing Israel’s actions in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. On the other hand, Germany and Austria, the host nation, have expressed support for Israel’s involvement.
In a statement, Stefan Eiriksson, the director general of RUV, acknowledged the lack of enthusiasm and harmony surrounding Iceland’s potential participation, as evident from the country’s public discourse and the response to the EBU’s recent decision.
Iceland was one of the nations that sought a vote on Israel’s participation last week. However, the EBU opted not to hold a vote on the matter but instead introduced new regulations to prevent governments from unduly influencing the competition following allegations of vote manipulation by Israel.
Despite never clinching a victory in the Eurovision Song Contest, Iceland secured second place in 1999 and 2009. The prestigious singing competition, established in 1956, boasts an audience of approximately 160 million viewers worldwide, as per the EBU’s data.
