Cross posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/40878444
Iceland’s broadcaster RÚV will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 due to Israel’s participation. The decision was made at a meeting of the RÚV board 10 December 2025, 17:27 CET The board of the Icelandic broadcaster RÚV has decided not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna.
In a press release, RÚV explains that Iceland will not take part in next year’s contest due to Israel’s confirmed participation:
– It is clear from the public debate in this country and the reaction to the EBU’s decision made last week that there will be neither joy nor peace regarding RÚV’s participation in Eurovision. It is therefore RÚV’s decision to inform the EBU today that RÚV will not participate in Eurovision next year.
PRESS RELEASE Icelandic National Broadcasting - Press release 10 December 2025
Continue reading here - https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/iceland-will-not-participate-in-eurovision-2026
What isn’t exactly clear is if the channels in these countries are going to not broadcast the show as well as not sending a person to represent that country.
So is Eurovision going to not have an Icelandic singer or is it not even going to be broadcast there?
It seems that no decision has been made about whether to hold the usual preliminary local competition, and the media reports don’t even mention whether the finals will be shown.
I hope they just start a knockoff version with the non genocide supporter countries and see if that gets bigger over the years.