Iceland joins a growing list of countries boycotting Eurovision over Israel's participation

Iceland joins a growing list of countries boycotting Eurovision over Israel’s participation World Dec 10, 2025 12:37 PM EST

LONDON (AP) — Iceland’s national broadcaster said Wednesday it will boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest because of discord over Israel’s participation, joining four other countries in a walkout of the pan-continental music competition.

Broadcasters in Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia told contest organizer 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.

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

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