Iceland has become the fifth European nation to formally withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, joining Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands in protest of Israel’s confirmed participation. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RÚV) announced its decision following a board meeting on Wednesday, just hours before the official deadline for countries to confirm their involvement in what was intended to be a celebratory 70th anniversary edition of the competition.
The broadcaster stated that the participation of Israeli national broadcaster KAN has ‘created disunity among both members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the general public.’ While acknowledging that new measures approved at last week’s EBU summit address some concerns about voting integrity, RÚV expressed doubts about whether these adjustments would be ‘fully satisfactory.’
The decision comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding Israel’s presence at Eurovision due to the war in Gaza and concerns about voting processes, including allegations that Israel’s government attempted to influence public voting during the 2025 contest. RÚV revealed it had repeatedly raised concerns that various Icelandic stakeholders, including artist associations and the general public, opposed participation.
Public opinion in Iceland and reactions to the EBU summit indicate that the country’s participation would ‘neither be a source of joy nor peace,’ according to the broadcaster’s statement. RÚV had previously requested the EBU exclude KAN from the contest based on precedents, calling it ‘a complex matter which has already damaged the contest’s reputation.’
Meanwhile, KAN chief executive Golan Yochpaz criticized the boycott efforts, characterizing them as ‘a cultural boycott’ that could set a dangerous precedent. ‘A boycott may begin today with Israel, but no one knows where it will end or who else it may harm,’ he stated during a meeting last week.
The 2026 contest is scheduled to take place in Vienna next May following Austrian singer JJ’s victory in the 2025 competition. Israel has participated in Eurovision since 1973, winning four times including most recently in 2018, and placing second in the 2025 contest.