Iceland has become the fifth country to announce its withdrawal from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. The decision follows similar moves by Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and the Netherlands, all of whom announced boycotts after organisers confirmed the participation of Israel in next year's event in Vienna.
In a statement reported by the BBC, Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV director-general Stefan Eiriksson 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.'
