Iceland: Eurovision 2027 boycott backed by broadcaster’s board

A majority of the board of Icelandic broadcaster RÚV has called for Iceland’s Eurovision boycott to continue in 2027 if Israel takes part.

At a meeting on 30 September, six of the nine board members submitted a statement asking RÚV’s director to inform the EBU of their position. They also repeated their earlier call for Israel to be excluded from the contest.

Board member Diljá Ámundadóttir Zoëga shared the statement on Facebook following the meeting, as reported by RÚV and Vísir.

RÚV’s board had already called on the EBU to exclude Israel in a resolution adopted in November 2025. Board chairman Stefán Jón Hafstein tells RÚV that the resolution still stands. He says the situation remains unchanged because the EBU has not addressed its substance.

Neither report states whether RÚV’s director has already notified the EBU of the position outlined at the meeting.

Iceland was one of five countries that boycotted Eurovision 2026 because of Israel’s participation, alongside Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia.

Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest

Iceland's debut in the Eurovision Song Contest was back in 1986, and they've participated 37 times since.

Their best results are two second-place finishes with Yohanna in 2009, and Selma in 1999. The country has finished last four times: 1989, 2001, 2018 and 2024.

Since the introduction of the Semi-finals in 2004, Iceland has qualified for the Grand Final 12 out of 21 times.

Iceland is the only Northern European country that has yet to win the Eurovision Song Contest.