Iceland becomes fifth country to boycott Eurovision

Iceland joins Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands in saying it will boycott the 2026 contest.

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All five countries have withdrawn after Israel's participation in the competition was officially confirmed last week.

Stefan Eiriksson, director-general of Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV, said: "There is no peace or joy connected to this contest as things stand now. On that basis, first and foremost, we are stepping back while the situation is as it is."

RÚV said Israel's participation had "created disunity among both members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the general public".

The broadcaster's board agreed the decision at a meeting on Wednesday, hours before the deadline for countries to confirm whether they will join what's supposed to be a celebratory 70th anniversary edition of the song contest next May.