RÚV board supports continued Eurovision boycott over Israel participation

A majority of the board of the Icelandic public broadcaster RÚV has expressed support for continuing a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest. Six of the nine board members have requested that the Director General notify the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) that Iceland will not participate in the 2027 competition unless Israel is barred from competing.

Board chairman Stefán Jón Hafstein noted that the EBU has not taken a substantive position regarding Israel’s participation, leaving the situation unchanged. This follows Iceland's decision to skip the 2026 contest and the cancellation of its national selection competition, Söngvakeppnin.

If the boycott proceeds, Iceland would join Ireland, which has already confirmed it will not participate in or broadcast the 2027 contest due to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Other nations, such as the Netherlands, have opted to return to the competition following previous boycotts.