Iceland’s national broadcaster, RUV, has confirmed the country will not compete in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026, becoming the fifth nation to withdraw in protest over Israel’s continued
participation. Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia have already announced similar decisions.
The move follows growing criticism within Iceland. Media Minister Logi Einarsson said ahead of the announcement that it would be “unfortunate” for Iceland to take part alongside Israel.
Israel has remained eligible to compete despite ongoing controversy linked to the war in Gaza. Russia, by contrast, was barred from Eurovision following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
In September, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia warned they would withdraw unless Israel was excluded. Their objections escalated after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) implemented rule changes during a general assembly in Geneva. According to the BBC, accepting the new measures meant dropping a proposed vote on Israel’s eligibility. Swedish broadcaster SVT said the change was not specifically targeted at Israel’s broadcaster, KAN.
SVT stated that all Nordic broadcasters—NRK (Norway), YLE (Finland), DR (Denmark) and RUV (Iceland)—supported the reforms, which a majority of EBU members backed.
Israel’s entrant in 2025, Yuval Raphael, received the highest public vote, ultimately finishing second once jury results were included. After the contest, Irish broadcaster RTE sought a voting breakdown from the EBU, while Spain’s RTVE called for a “complete review” of the voting system over concerns of “external interference.”
Despite the dispute, the BBC said it backed the EBU’s “collective decision” to allow Israel to compete in 2026. A BBC spokesperson said the rules must be upheld and the contest should remain inclusive.
RTE later confirmed it would not broadcast or participate in Eurovision 2026, calling involvement “unconscionable” amid the scale of civilian deaths in Gaza. The broadcaster also cited concerns over attacks on journalists and the lack of access for international media.
Austria is set to host the 2026 contest in Vienna after its act, JJ, won by a narrow margin over Israel’s Raphael.
Dutch broadcaster Avrotros also announced it would not air or take part in the event, saying participation would be “incompatible” with its core public values. Chief executive Taco Zimmerman said principles such as press freedom and humanitarian standards had been “seriously violated.”
The Dutch public broadcasting organisation NPO said it would continue to ensure Eurovision remains accessible to viewers.
Slovenian broadcaster RTV said its withdrawal was made “on behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza.”
Responding to criticism, Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote on X that Israel “deserves to be represented on every stage around the world.”
The EBU stated that remaining broadcasters will not face increased fees as a result of the withdrawals. Photo by Roger Dewayne Barkley, EuroVisionary, Wikimedia commons.