ICELAND - Boycotts Eurovision Because of Israel

Stefan Eiriksson, director-general of Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV, said: “There is no peace or joy connected to this contest as things stand now. On that basis, first and foremost, we are stepping back while the situation is as it is.”

RÚV said Israel’s participation had “created disunity among both members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the general public.”

Israel’s presence at Eurovision has been an increasing source of tension, because of the war in Gaza and concerns about the voting and campaigning processes, including accusations that Israel’s government tried to influence the public vote at this year’s event.

“The attempt to remove KAN from the contest can only be understood as a cultural boycott,” said [Israeli public broadcaster] chief executive Golan Yochpaz. “A boycott may begin today with Israel, but no one knows where it will end or who else it may harm.”

-www.bbc.com, 10 December 2025

Commentary: Eurovision, officially the Eurovision Song Contest, is the world’s largest live music competition, where countries in the European Broadcasting Union (and beyond) send one original song and performer to compete, with the winner chosen by a combination of national jury and public votes, making it one of the world’s longest-running and most-watched programs.

Five member nations of the European Broadcasting Union who qualify for the Eurovision Song Contest, will not appear in 2026 because of Israel’s participation: Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands.

The debate about this issue is unending. We note the statement, “Israel’s presence at Eurovision has been an increasing source of tension, because of the war in Gaza…” Interesting, “the war in Gaza.” Why? Because 5,000-6,000 murderers invaded Israel on 7 October 2023, killing over 1,200 Israelis at random. How did Israel react? As any other country would: Bring the murderers to justice. That, in simple terms, was the war.

Here again, we see Israel is different. It has become much more popular and easier to be anti-Israel, than to support their right to exist and defend themselves. Besides the murder of over 1,500 people, 250 more were taken hostage. In plain words, the nations that boycotted Israel are telling the world that it is normal for terrorists to murder Israelis and take hostages. For Israel to take action, arresting those responsible for the mass murder, is abnormal.

Here the statement of the prophet Isaiah is applicable: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).