Iceland becomes fifth country to boycott Eurovision Song Contest

Iceland joins Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands in saying it will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.

All five countries have withdrawn after Israel officially confirmed its participation last week.

Stefan Eiriksson, director general of Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV, said: “As things stand, there is no peace or joy in this game. On this basis, first and foremost, we will take a step back in the current circumstances.”

RÚV said Israel’s involvement “created disunity among European Broadcasting Union (EBU) members and the public”.

The broadcaster’s board agreed to the decision at a meeting on Wednesday, hours before the deadline for countries to confirm their participation in the song competition celebrating its 70th anniversary next May.

Iceland is believed to be the last country to announce a decision.

Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green said: “We respect the decision of all broadcasters who have chosen not to participate in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest and hope to welcome them back as soon as possible.”

Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest has been a source of growing tension due to the war in Gaza and concerns over the voting and campaign process, including accusations that the Israeli government sought to influence public voting at this year’s event.

Last week’s EBU summit approved a raft of new measures aimed at protecting the integrity of the vote, after most countries confirmed they would travel to Vienna for the 2026 election.

The Board of Directors of the Icelandic Broadcasting Corporation previously approved a recommendation for the EBU to ban Israel from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.

Iceland was reportedly one of seven countries that subsequently called for a vote on Israel’s participation at the EBU conference.

The request was rejected, and Israel’s future participation was effectively tied to a vote on new voting and campaign rules.

The Icelandic broadcaster said that while the new measures addressed many of its concerns, it “believes that doubts remain about whether the agreed adjustments will be fully satisfactory”.

“RÚV has repeatedly expressed concerns about opposition to participation in the competition by various Icelandic stakeholders, such as artists’ associations and the public.

“In addition, RÚV has asked the EBU to exclude (Israeli public broadcaster) KAN from the competition based on precedent.

“This is a complex issue that has damaged the reputation of the competition and the EBU and highlights the need to find a solution for all parties involved.”

According to minutes of Thursday’s meeting provided by KAN, the broadcaster’s chief executive, Golan Yochpaz, criticized those seeking to expel Israel.

“Attempts to exclude KAN from the competition can only be understood as a cultural boycott,” he said. “A boycott may start with Israel today, but no one knows where it will end or who else it will hurt.

“Is this what we really want this game to be remembered for on its 70th anniversary?”

Israel has participated in Eurovision since 1973, as its public broadcaster KAN is a member of the EBU, which organizes the competition.

Israel has won four times, most recently in 2018, and finished second in the 2025 competition.

Iceland has never won but was runner-up in 1999 and 2009.

Meanwhile, Poland confirmed on Wednesday that they will participate in next year’s competition.

Broadcaster TVP said: “We are aware of the tensions surrounding the upcoming edition. We understand people’s emotions and concerns.”

“However, we believe there is still a chance that Eurovision can once again become a space filled with music – and only music.

“We are giving it that chance, as are the vast majority of EBU members.”