Iceland has become the latest country to withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, the national broadcaster RÚV announced, following last week’s decision by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to greenlight Israel’s participation.
The move adds to a widening protest. Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia had already pulled out, citing Israel’s war in Gaza as incompatible with the spirit of the event, which is scheduled to take place in Vienna next May.
“It is clear from public discussion in this country, and from the reaction to the EBU’s decision last week, that there will be neither joy nor peace regarding RÚV’s participation,” RÚV Director General Stefán Eiríksson said in a statement.
Iceland was among the broadcasters that had called for a vote on Israel’s participation. However, the EBU ultimately opted against holding one, instead announcing new rules designed to discourage governments from influencing the contest.
Although Iceland has never won Eurovision, it has come close twice, finishing second in both 1999 and 2009. The contest, which has been running since 1956, draws an audience of roughly 160 million viewers each year, according to the EBU.
