The general public broadcaster of Iceland introduced on Wednesday that it’ll not take part on this yr’s Eurovision Tune Contest after Israel’s participation was confirmed by the European Broadcasting Union final week.
The choice drew assist from outstanding Icelandic artists, together with the singer Björk and the previous Eurovision consultant Paul Oscar, in addition to a supportive rally exterior of the broadcaster’s Reykjavik headquarters.
The choice by the Icelandic public broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið, or RÚV, makes it the fifth nation to bow out of the competitors, following comparable calls made by the general public broadcasters of Eire, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia. RÚV first signaled it might boycott competitors with Israel in September.
The boycott choices got here after the EBU, which organizes the competitors, dismissed requires a vote on Israel’s participation final week. As a substitute, the EBU authorized a brand new algorithm prohibiting voter interference from governments and third events following allegations that Israel interfered in final yr’s competitors.
In a press launch Wednesday, RÚV mentioned its board had requested that the EBU take away Israel from the tune competitors, saying that such a transfer had the assist of the Icelandic public.
“Given the general public debate on this nation and the reactions to the choice of the EBU that was taken final week it’s clear that neither pleasure nor peace will prevail concerning the participation of RÚV in Eurovision,” it mentioned in a press launch. “It’s due to this fact the conclusion of RÚV to inform the EBU in the present day that RÚV is not going to participate in Eurovision subsequent yr.”
Iceland got here in twenty fifth out of 37 nations within the 2025 competitors, the place Israeli listeners famous that its tune sounded remarkably just like an Israeli pop hit. The Icelandic contestants denied understanding in regards to the Israeli tune earlier than writing their very own.
RÚV’s boycott choice got here hours earlier than the ultimate deadline to withdraw from this yr’s Eurovision, which is slated to happen in Might in Vienna.
“We respect the choice of all broadcasters who’ve chosen to not take part in subsequent yr’s Eurovision Tune Contest and hope to welcome them again quickly,” mentioned Eurovision director Martin Inexperienced in an announcement, based on the BBC.
