Iceland on Wednesday became the fifth country to pull out of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest after the event’s organizer cleared Israel to participate.
The European Broadcasting Union’s decision last week allowing Israel to compete prompted withdrawals by Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia. The contest is scheduled for May in Vienna. The EBU faced pressure to expel Israel over its military operations in the Gaza Strip following Iranian-backed Hamas’ terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
“It is clear from the public debate in this country and the reaction to the EBU’s decision last week that there will be neither joy nor peace regarding RUV’s participation,” said Stefan Eiriksson, director-general of RUV, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, The Jerusalem Post reported.
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