ICELANDIC musicians have demanded the country boycotts the Eurovision Song Contest over Israel’s involvement.
The Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland (FTT), which represents artists in the country, says it wants national broadcaster RUV to halt its participation in the show if Israel stays in the contest.
RUV has said a demonstration was set to take place outside its offices on Monday over the issue.
Many nations demanded Russia be banned over its invasion of Ukraine last year.
The country was removed from the 2022 contest with Ukraine winning, as the UK stepped in to host the show in Liverpool in 2023.
Hamas killed 1200 people and kidnapped hundreds more in cross-border attacks on October, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel has since killed more than 18,800 Palestinians, 70% of whom were women and children, according to the health ministry in Gaza.
The FTT said: "We all have a duty to take a stand against war and the killing of civilians and innocent children.
"We always have the choice not to put our name to such things, whether we are individuals or state institutions.
"We owe it to the nations that act with military force to not share with them in an event that is always characterised by joy and optimism."
Pro-Palestinian activists have called for a boycott while Ireland’s RTE is said to have received hundreds of emails asking it to boycott the competition.
Israel came third this year with artist Noa Kirel, who had previously served as a soldier in the Israeli Defence Forces.
The contest this year will be held in Sweden.
The EBU, an alliance of public service broadcasters, said in a statement to Irish online newspaper The Journal: "It is a competition for broadcasters – not governments – and the Israeli public broadcaster has participated in the contest for 50 years.
“EBU is aligned with other international organisations that have similarly maintained their inclusive stance towards Israeli participants in major competitions at this time."
