Eurovision loses fifth country as Iceland says ‘no joy, no peace’ without Israel ban

Eurovision loses fifth country as Iceland says ‘no joy, no peace’ without Israel ban



VÆB, representing Iceland, performs “ROA” during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, on May 17, 2025. — Reuters pic

Thursday, 11 Dec 2025 8:49 AM MYT


STOCKHOLM, Dec 11 — Iceland’s state broadcaster on Wednesday announced it would boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, becoming the fifth country to pull out after Israel was given the go-ahead to compete.

Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia all announced their withdrawal from the world’s biggest live music competition last week, after a meeting with organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).


EBU members had been expected to vote on new measures brought in to tackle alleged irregularities in voting in previous events, and after strong criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza.

But organisers said a vote was not necessary, paving the way for Israel to compete, despite claims that it was using the contest for political purposes.


Iceland’s RUV put off its decision until a board meeting on Wednesday, after which it stated that it had “decided not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna in Austria next year”.


“The board of RUV had also requested of the EBU that (Israel’s state broadcaster) KAN be removed from the contest.”

Iceland’s decision had been expected after it said it was considering its position.


“Given the public debate in this country and the reactions to the decision of the EBU that was taken last week, it is clear that neither joy nor peace will prevail regarding the participation of RUV in Eurovision,” the broadcaster added.

Some 37 countries took part in the 2025 edition, which was won by Austrian operatic singer JJ. Israel came second.

Eurovision director Martin Green said an estimated 35 countries would take part in 2026. — AFP