Iceland formally calls to exclude ‘Israel’ from 2026 Eurovision

• The board of Iceland's national public broadcaster, RÚV, formally recommended that ‘Israel’ be excluded from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, citing the ‘Israeli’ assault on Gaza.
• The decision adds to growing pressure on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) ahead of its general assembly next week, where the issue of ‘Israel's’ participation will be discussed.

The board of Iceland's national public broadcaster, RÚV, has formally recommended that ‘Israel’ be excluded from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026, citing the ‘Israeli’ assault on Gaza.

The decision, approved by a narrow majority, adds to growing pressure on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) ahead of its general assembly next week.

The resolution was passed during a board meeting on Wednesday, with five out of nine members voting in favor.

Stefán Jón Hafstein, chair of RÚV's board, confirmed the outcome, stating that the proposal directs the EBU to bar ‘Israel’ from the contest scheduled for spring 2026 in Vienna, Austria.

"What happens next is that the EBU meets for its general meeting on 4 to 5 December," Hafstein explained. "My understanding is that on 4 December this matter concerning Israel’s participation and the rules regarding the contest will be discussed, and our resolution will have been presented before that meeting. It will therefore be fully on the table."

RÚV's move follows similar debates surrounding ‘Israel's’ involvement in previous Eurovision editions.

Calls to Boycott 

In 2024 and 2025, calls to suspend ‘Israel’ intensified due to the assault on Gaza and the ensuing humanitarian catastrophe.

The EBU, which organizes Eurovision, has historically maintained that the event is a non-political platform for public broadcasters, and ‘Israel's’ Kan public broadcaster remains a full member.

However, the organization recently introduced new rules aimed at addressing such criticisms, including enhanced guidelines on participation.

Iceland is not alone in its stance. In Spain, the president of public broadcaster RTVE has reaffirmed that the country will not participate in Eurovision 2026 if ‘Israel’ is allowed to compete.

The EBU's general assembly in Geneva on December 4-5 is expected to address the issue directly, potentially including a vote on ‘Israel's’ eligibility.

According to reports, a simple majority of the EBU's 68 active members—requiring at least 35 votes—could decide the matter, though the organization has not confirmed the exact process.

RÚV has indicated that it will review its own participation in the contest following the assembly's outcome, with preparations for Iceland's national selection process currently on hold.

Eurovision 2026 is set to be hosted by Austria after its victory in the 2025 contest.