Iceland has announced its withdrawal from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, becoming the fifth country to boycott the event over Israel's participation. This decision follows similar actions by Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia, all protesting Israel's involvement due to its conduct in the Gaza conflict.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision, recently confirmed Israel's participation despite objections. In response, Iceland's national broadcaster, RÚV, stated that public sentiment indicated their participation would not be marked by the intended joy or peace. RÚV emphasized that the contest's aim to unite the Icelandic nation could no longer be achieved under the current circumstances.
The EBU had considered concerns about Israel's participation but ultimately chose not to exclude any country. Instead, procedural voting adjustments were made following allegations of vote manipulation. However, these measures did not address the broader concerns of the boycotting nations.
The growing number of withdrawals has cast uncertainty over the contest's future and financial stability. Spain's withdrawal is particularly significant due to its status as one of Eurovision’s "Big Five," and Ireland holds the record for most wins. Despite never winning, Iceland consistently boasts the highest per capita viewing audience.
The ongoing Gaza conflict has increasingly politicized Eurovision. Israel defends its actions as retaliation for the October 2023 Hamas attack, while critics and some international bodies have labeled its response as potentially genocidal, a charge Israel denies. A final list of participating countries is set to be released before Christmas.
In a related development, Swiss singer Nemo, the 2024 Eurovision winner, announced on Instagram that they are returning their winner’s trophy to protest Israel’s participation in the competition. Nemo accused Eurovision organizers of failing to uphold their stated values of unity and inclusion, citing Israel's ongoing war in Gaza as incompatible with those ideals.
These developments highlight the growing intersection of politics and cultural events, raising questions about the future of international competitions like Eurovision in maintaining their apolitical stance amid global conflicts.