RUV’s board will recommend the EBU to exclude Israel from the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
The Icelandic national broadcaster’s board convened yesterday and has decided to recommend the EBU to exclude Israel from the forthcoming Eurovision edition in Vienna. RUV is yet to decide if Iceland will partake in the competition if Israel is allowed to compete in Vienna.
Stefán Jón Hafstein (Chairman of the board of RÚV) says:
A majority today agreed to recommend to the board of the European Broadcasting Union, EBU, to expel Israel from the competition next spring 2026.
The resolution was approved by RUV’s board with five votes out of nine at the Icelandic national broadcaster’s board’s meeting yesterday afternoon.
Iceland’s Eurovision 2026 Eurovision participation remains uncertain and a final decision will be taken after the outcome from the EBU’s General Assembly in Geneva on the 4th and 5th December.
Stefán Jón Hafstein (Chairman of the board of RÚV) adds:
What happens next is that the EBU will meet for a general meeting on December 4-5. I understand that on December 4, this issue regarding Israel’s participation and the rules regarding the competition will be discussed and then our agreement will have been presented for that meeting. It will be completely clear then.
Wether Iceland will compete at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 if Israel is allowed to compete is yet uncertain the, this matter will be determined by RUV’s Board after the EBU’s Winter General Assembly.
Stefán Jón Hafstein (Chairman of the board of RÚV) sheds more light on Iceland’s participation at ESC 2026:
It will be discussed at a special board meeting after the EBU meeting. No position was taken on it at today’s meeting.
Several countries have threatened to withdraw from the contest next year if Israel is not excluded from the competition, due to the geopolitical scenario in the Middle East and the war in Gaza : Slovenia, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The official list of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 competing countries will be released by the EBU before Christmas.
