Iceland Joins Boycott of 2026 Eurovision Song Contest Due to Israel's Participation

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Iceland Joins Boycott of 2026 Eurovision Song Contest Due to Israel's Participation

1 month ago

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Iceland Joins Boycott of 2026 Eurovision Song Contest Due to Israel's Participation

Credited from: REUTERS

Iceland joins Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands in boycotting Eurovision 2026.
The boycott stems from Israel's confirmed participation amid the Gaza conflict.
Iceland's broadcaster cites public sentiment against participation as a key factor.
Countries previously requested a vote on Israel but were denied by the EBU.
The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Vienna in May, marking its 70th anniversary.

The Nordic nation of Iceland has officially announced its decision to boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, aligning with Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia, which have also withdrawn in protest against the inclusion of Israel. The decision comes after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed Israel's participation last week, amid ongoing tensions due to the Gaza conflict, according to BBC, Los Angeles Times, and Reuters.

Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

The non-participation of Iceland underscores the growing discontent with the EBU's handling of Israel's participation. The EBU recently decided to adopt stricter voting rules instead of addressing the call for a vote on Israel's expulsion, which has further fueled the dissatisfaction among several member broadcasters, according to Anadolu Agency and Reuters.

This year’s Eurovision will be hosted in Vienna, marking its 70th anniversary. As of now, more than two dozen countries have confirmed their participation despite the ongoing controversies, indicating a division among EBU member nations regarding the contest's political implications, as reported by Los Angeles Times and BBC.