Iceland becomes fifth country to boycott Eurovision Song Contest over Israel • FRANCE 24 English

Yet another country making its voice heard. This time not in song, but in protest. >> Iceland’s public broadcaster says the country will not be heading to Vienna in May for Euro Vision 2026. >> There is neither peace nor joy surrounding this competition as things currently stand. And on that basis we are stepping back while the situation is as it is. This is the decision we made. >> The move is being applauded by some Icelanders including the country’s 1997 contestant. I’ve noticed that congratulations are reigning in and also gratitude to Icelanders from many places in Europe. This mini nation is now an inspiration for others. We’re an inspiration for others who’d like to do the same thing. So, congratulations, Iceland. >> The board decided on the withdrawal just hours before the deadline for countries to confirm their participation in the contest’s 70th anniversary edition. Iceland was among the nations calling for a vote on whether Israel should be allowed to compete, citing his action in the Gaza war. But the European Broadcasting Union chose not to hold that vote. In the days that followed, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia all pulled out. >> It wasn’t a huge surprise when Slovenia along with the Netherlands and Ireland and Spain um decided to stay out of the competition. What is going to change? You can never know, but definitely it’s not going to be the same competition as we used to know it for 70 years now. >> Iceland has yet to win Eurovision, but did play second in 1999 and 2009. The contest still draws an audience of around 160 million viewers worldwide.

Iceland has become the latest country to boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, its public broadcaster RUV announced Wednesday, joining a growing wave of withdrawals triggered by the decision to allow Israel to compete. Iceland is now the fifth nation to pull out, following Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia’s coordinated exit last week amid mounting criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and accusations that the contest is being used for political ends.
#Eurovision #Israel #Iceland

Read more about this story in our article: https://f24.my/Bc0s.y

🔔 Subscribe to France 24 now: https://f24.my/YTen
🔴 LIVE – Watch FRANCE 24 English 24/7 here: https://f24.my/YTliveEN

🌍 Read the latest International News and Top Stories: https://www.france24.com/en/

Like us on Facebook: https://f24.my/FBen
Follow us on X: https://f24.my/Xen
Bluesky: https://f24.my/BSen and Threads: https://f24.my/THen
Browse the news in pictures on Instagram: https://f24.my/IGen
Discover our TikTok videos: https://f24.my/TKen
Get the latest top stories on Telegram: https://f24.my/TGen

46 comments

  6. Esc 2026 einfach mal weglassen! Oder die paar Länder unter sich selbst einen lächerlichen esc veranstalten lassen

  11. As an American who is notoriously bad at world geography, even I know that Israel is not in Europe so it makes no sense for it to be part of a European contest

  20. I'm so ashamed that my TV station in the Republic of Ireland has its filthy paws involved with this too. RTE has been found itself to have betrayed the trust of its paying members by unethical and inappropriate use of state funds. Hypocrisy at its finest. Plus, 90% of people I know support genuine honest Israelis…. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪💯💙🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱

  25. Israel is not even a europe country..nice moves by iceland..its truely a geatures towards world peace..congratulation and iceland is getting support worldwide now

  26. France should lead by example since they are the loudest mouths when it comes to "Human rights" but a no show when it comes to protesting for huma rights.

  27. If anyone is waiting for the UK to withdraw, then don't hold your breath.
    The UK has a despicable record of boycotts stretching back to the Olympics in 1980……any sniff of a trophy or medal,the amoral Brits will be there……. sickening.

  29. Please keep boycotting israel
    While doing that you should start to stop using phones computers and other hi tech products because they also contain israeli products

  31. This is such fake outrage. NOBODY'S guna boycott an event we actually care about like the Olympics.
    Fake. Nobody cares about the poxy Yooro vision and the boycott will achieve nothing

  32. It seems those countries are bothered by the fact that Israel has been in the top five three years in a row. But they didn't care when Russia, Ukraine, Italy or Sweden were in the top five multiple times each since 2000. Obsession with sabotaging Eurovision or themselves as countries is ridiculous. I'm almost certain Israel couldn't care less about who is going or not to the Eurovision 2026

  35. Szégyen !!!!!! Politikai okokból szankcionálni sportolokat művészeket! Mi kővetkezik? Nyilvánosan kőnyveket égetűnk? Vagy rosszabb?

  39. Europe stands with Palestine. Just got back from a three week tour of Spain and Portugal. Palestine flags everywhere. Zero Israel flags.

  42. Boycott the US too. They are funding, arming and supporting these atrocities. Germany too. Both are providing the most money, weapons and cover for Israel

  43. More countries should boycott, and the public shouldn't wait for their countries, we as public should fully boycott the show.

Comments are closed.