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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Lisa O’Carroll

Iceland becomes fifth country to boycott Eurovision 2026 over Israel

Four people wearing sunglasses and shiny silver outfits behind a piece of stage scenery representing a boat
VÆB represented Iceland at the grand final of the 2025 Eurovision song contest. Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

Iceland has become the fifth country to boycott next year’s Eurovision song contest after Israel was given the go-ahead to compete, deepening the crisis facing the competition.

The board of the national broadcaster, RÚV, voted on Wednesday not to participate, meaning Iceland will join Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Ireland in neither participating in nor broadcasting the event, which is scheduled to take place in Vienna.

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