LONDON – Iceland's national broadcaster said Wednesday it will boycott next year's Eurovision Song Contest because of the participation of Israel, joining four other countries in a walkout of the pan-continental music competition.

Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia told the European Broadcasting Union last week that they will not take part in the contest in Vienna in May after organizers declined to expel Israel over its conduct of the war against Hamas in Gaza .

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The board of Iceland's RÚV met Wednesday to make a decision.

At its conclusion the broadcaster said in a statement that “given the public debate in this country ... it is clear that neither joy nor peace will prevail regarding the participation of RÚV in Eurovision. It is therefore the concl

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