The Eurovision Song Contest, celebrated as a festival of music and unity, is facing one of its biggest controversies in decades. Iceland has officially joined Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands in boycotting next year’s contest in Vienna. With this, they have sent a strong message against Israel’s participation.
The decision comes after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed that Israel will take part in Eurovision 2026 despite rising international criticism over the country’s genocidal actions in Gaza and concerns about fair play in the contest.
No peace, no joy: Iceland speaks out
Stefan Eiriksson, director-general of Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV, explained the decision bluntly: “There is no peace or joy connected to this contest as things stand now. On that basis, first and foremost, we are stepping back while the situation is as it is.”
RÚV further highlighted that Israel’s participation has caused “disunity among both members of the European Broadcasting Union and the general public.”
For Iceland and many other countries following suit, the contest has lost its celebratory spirit because of political and ethical concerns surrounding Israel.
The broadcaster’s board reached this decision on Wednesday, just hours before the official deadline to confirm participation in what is meant to be Eurovision’s 70th anniversary edition next May. Iceland was the last country to make its decision.
Tensions rising over Israel’s inclusion
Israel’s role in Eurovision has become increasingly controversial particularly in light of the ongoing war in Gaza. Accusations of government influence over public voting in recent contests have further heightened concerns about the fairness and integrity of the competition.
In response to these controversies, the EBU held a summit last week and introduced new rules designed to protect voting integrity.
While many countries accepted these changes and confirmed their participation, Iceland felt that the measures did not go far enough.
Blocked request to exclude Israel
Earlier this year, Iceland’s broadcaster had even recommended that the EBU ban Israel from Eurovision 2026. Alongside six other countries, RÚV requested a vote on this issue at the EBU general meeting. That request was denied leaving Israel’s participation tied to the new voting and campaigning rules instead.
Iceland believes the situation remains unresolved. “It is a complex matter which has already damaged the contest’s reputation and EBU, emphasizing the necessity of a solution for all concerned parties,” RÚV said.
Israel’s public broadcaster, KAN, pushed back strongly against the calls for exclusion. CEO Golan Yochpaz argued that boycotting Israel is a dangerous precedent.
“The attempt to remove KAN from the contest can only be understood as a cultural boycott,” he said. “A boycott may begin today with Israel, but no one knows where it will end or who else it may harm.”
Israel’s Eurovision history
Israel has been participating in Eurovision since 1973 because KAN is a member of the EBU. Over the decades, Israel has won four times including its most recent victory in 2018, and finished second in the 2025 contest.
In contrast, Iceland has never won the contest though it did secure second place in both 1999 and 2009. Despite Iceland’s strong musical tradition, the country has chosen to put ethics above competition refusing to participate while Israel remains involved.