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

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

All five countries have withdrawn after Israel’s participation in the competition was officially confirmed last week.

“The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RÚV) has decided not to participate in the Eurovision song contest in Vienna, Austria, next year,” a statement said after an RÚV board meeting on Wednesday.

“Participation of Israeli national broadcaster, KAN, in the contest has created disunity among both members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the general public.”

  • Logi@lemmy.world
    10·
    23 days ago

    I’m just listening to an interview with the head of the Icelandic National Broadcaster and their line is that this was “not a political decision” on their part, but because this programme item would no longer be the “joyful unifying event” that it has been and is supposed to be, so they’re not taking part. There is a bit of hand-washing going on, but they’re not really wrong either.