Iceland has announced its withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining several European countries that have canceled their participation in response to Israel’s involvement in the competition. They cited Israel’s crimes against Palestinians.

The decision was made public by Iceland's broadcaster, RUV, following the European Broadcasting Union's (EBU) approval of Israel's participation in the upcoming event scheduled for May in Vienna.

"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. It is therefore the conclusion of RUV to notify the EBU today that RUV will not take part in Eurovision next year," public broadcaster RUV said in a statement.

"The Song Contest and Eurovision have always had the aim of uniting the Icelandic nation but it is now clear that this aim cannot be achieved and it is on these program-related grounds that this decision is taken," RUV added.

Prior to Iceland's announcement, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia also withdrew, citing Israel's crimes in Gaza. These countries had called for a vote on Israel's participation, but the EBU opted not to hold one, claiming new rules prevent governmental influence over the contest.

Opponents of Israel's participation highlight its genocide in Gaza, expressing concerns over double standards that have shielded Israel from accountability. They cited past actions against countries, such as Russia, which was swiftly banned by FIFA and UEFA within days of Russia’s attack on Ukraine in 2022.

Since October 2023, the Israeli army has killed at least 70,354 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and injured 171,000 others in the two-year war in Gaza that has reduced much of the coastal sliver to rubble.

A United Nations Commission of Inquiry (CoI), established by the UN Human Rights Council, concluded that Israeli authorities “intended to kill as many Palestinians as possible” and have committed the crime against humanity of extermination.

According to the “most authoritative assessment” to date, Israel has committed and is continuing to commit genocide in Gaza.

The report cited direct targeting of civilians, including children, and mass killings in “far larger numbers" compared to previous wars.

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