Iceland Will Not Participate In Eurovision

Iceland will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest this spring, reports RÚV. The decision was made at a meeting of the RÚV board today. It has not yet been decided whether the Icelandic national selection, Söngvakeppnin, will take place.

Over the past week, the RÚV board received appeals from many people to withdraw from participation, including from Björk and Páll Óskar. Five countries have announced that they will boycott Eurovision. In addition to Iceland, these are Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia. The countries have cited various reasons for their withdrawal, but all reached this conclusion after the EBU decided to allow Israel to compete.

In a press release signed by the board chair, Stefán Eiríksson, it is stated that the participation of the Israeli public broadcaster KAN has caused division recently.

“Given the public debate in this country and the reactions to the EBU’s decision last week, it is clear that there will be neither joy nor harmony surrounding RÚV’s participation in Eurovision. It is therefore RÚV’s conclusion to inform the EBU today that RÚV will not take part in Eurovision next year,” the statement reads.