Public pressure in Iceland reached a breaking point, and the country’s broadcaster decided it could not continue in Eurovision 2026.
The debate intensified oh after the European Broadcasting Union confirmed Israel’s participation despite requests from several countries to reconsider. Artist groups, viewers, and public figures in Iceland called for a withdrawal, which pushed RÚV to announce its exit.
Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands had already made the same decision, signaling a growing divide inside the contest. Iceland became the fifth country to step back, adding more weight to the controversy ahead of next year’s event in Vienna.
The dispute began when the EBU declined to hold a vote on whether Israel should be removed from the competition. Critics argued that Eurovision could not maintain neutrality during the ongoing war in Gaza, especially as concerns persisted about political influence in last year’s voting process.
Broadcasters who chose to withdraw pointed to humanitarian issues and the scale of civilian casualties as reasons they could not participate under current conditions. Iceland’s broadcaster echoed these concerns and noted strong public opposition at home.
The EBU responded by approving new voting and campaigning rules meant to limit government involvement. However, these changes did not resolve the main disagreement about Israel’s continued presence in the contest.
Some member countries said removing Israel would set a difficult precedent, while others argued that participation during the conflict undermines the contest’s values.
Iceland’s withdrawal shows how deeply the issue has affected the competition. The decision adds new pressure on Eurovision at a moment when it hoped to focus on its 70th anniversary, yet it now faces questions about unity, credibility, and how it should respond to global events.
