Iceland withdraws from Eurovision over Israel's participation

Iceland has become the latest country to withdraw from next year's Eurovision Song Contest over Israel's participation.

This makes Iceland the fifth country to withdraw after Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands all confirmed they would not participate in the competition.

According to Iceland's broadcaster RÚV, public discourse in Iceland in response to last week's EBU ruling demonstrated that there would be "neither joy nor peace" surrounding participation and that the competition could no longer fulfil its goal of bringing nations together.

Pointing out past examples such as Russia's exclusion following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Icelandic broadcaster said it had formally requested that KAN be removed from the EBU.

It claimed that the problem surrounding Israel's participation had already harmed the EBU's and Eurovision's reputations.

According to the EBU, the revised regulations for 2026 are intended to "strengthen trust and transparency" and guarantee that Eurovision continues to be a non-political music competition. These regulations include tighter restrictions on vote campaigning and a redesigned jury system.

Following the Geneva General Assembly last week, the EBU reported that a sizeable majority of members felt that a vote on Israel's participation was unnecessary.

As a result, RTÉ announced that Ireland would not participate in or broadcast the contest.

"RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk," the broadcast stated.

"RTÉ remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory.”

Eurovision Legend Johnny Logan showed his support for RTÉ's decision on the broadcasters' This Week programme.

"I really think that what Ireland, what RTÉ, has done is exactly the right thing to do. I support them 100%," said Logan.

"And it's not about the Israeli people, it's about the people in charge of Israel, the governments that have been making these decisions."

The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place in Vienna, Austria, from May 12 to 14, 2026.