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



I’m just listening to an interview with the head of the Icelandic National Broadcaster and their line is that this was “not a political decision” on their part, but because this programme item would no longer be the “joyful unifying event” that it has been and is supposed to be, so they’re not taking part. There is a bit of hand-washing going on, but they’re not really wrong either.