BERLIN

Iceland will discuss whether to participate in the Eurovision 2026 song contest after Israel was allowed to compete, Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir said Friday.

Speaking at a joint news conference with her German counterpart in Berlin, Gunnarsdottir highlighted Iceland's strong concern about developments in Gaza and its clear stance on the issue.

“We are supporting very strongly the two-state solution. We also welcome very much needed ceasefire in Gaza, and we also urge, and we want to see the more increased humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip,” she said.

The minister noted that after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) allowed Israel to participate in Eurovision 2026 - despite calls by several participating broadcasters for its exclusion — Icelandic authorities will assess the developments.

“I want to have discussions with the minister of culture, and some would say it's in the hand of the national broadcaster. But that is a sensible matter in Iceland and we will discuss it back there first before I say something for the German media. It's a sensible matter and we will value it from every aspect,” Gunnarsdottir said.

Iceland's national broadcaster RUV announced that its board will meet on Wednesday to decide whether the country will participate in Eurovision next year, as the EBU allowed Israel to compete in the song contest.

The EBU confirmed on Thursday that Israel will be able to participate in next year's contest, which will take place in Vienna, Austria, as members decided not to hold a vote specifically on Israel's participation despite requests from several broadcasters.

Instead, members voted only on whether Eurovision should proceed under the currently planned scenario, which includes a package of measures related to the voting system but excludes a vote on member participation.

Israel's participation in the contest has long been contentious. Following the last event in Basel, Switzerland, where Israel came close to winning, calls for its exclusion have intensified amid the heavy civilian death toll in Gaza.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed more than 70,000 people, mostly women and children, and injured nearly 171,000 others. Several experts, including those appointed by a UN body, have stated that Israel's attacks in Gaza constitute genocide.

Russia was barred from Eurovision following the start of its war in Ukraine in 2022, while Israel has continued participating over the past two years amid ongoing controversies.

The EBU supports Israel's ongoing participation in the contest, emphasizing its commitment to inclusiveness and neutrality.