The saga over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 continues as Iceland’s national broadcaster RÚV will hold a decisive board meeting at October’s end ahead of the EBU’s November vote.
The saga surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 continues to unfold, with a crucial development from Iceland. The national broadcaster RÚV will convene a board meeting at the end of October to formally decide how it will vote in the decisive European Broadcasting Union (EBU) vote in November concerning Israel’s participation. This step is essential for RÚV, which must present a consolidated position through its representative at the EBU’s general assembly.
The latest development comes just days after our report about the strongly worded article by the chairman of Iceland’s National Broadcasting Council, Stefán Jón Hafstein, openly calling for Israel’s expulsion from the contest. In his article, Hafstein detailed six arguments, including allegations of Israel violating international law, comparing the situation to Russia’s expulsion from Eurovision. Furthermore, it was revealed that a closed meeting of all Nordic broadcasters is set to take place soon in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, with an EBU representative in attendance.
In an interview with a local news outlet, Hafstein confirmed that RÚV’s official decision will be made at the upcoming board meeting on the last Wednesday of October. This decision will determine whether Iceland’s representative votes for or against Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria.
Between Personal Opinion and Official Policy
It is important to note that Hafstein emphasized in his forceful article that he was writing based solely on his personal views. However, his role as chairman exerts considerable influence over other board members. The end-of-month meeting will transform his stance—or a contrasting one—into the official, binding policy of Iceland’s national broadcaster.
This decision comes against the backdrop of the EBU’s announcement advancing the crucial vote on Israel to early November. As previously reported, Iceland had already announced it would use the EBU’s extended deadline for withdrawal until December, setting its participation contingent on Israel not being part of the contest.
Nordic Front Divided
Hafstein’s call for a united Nordic stance against Israel is likely to face serious obstacles. As reported, some Nordic nations have firmly adopted the opposite position:
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Norway: Announced unexpectedly that it will not boycott the contest even if Israel participates.
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Finland: The only remaining undecided country besides Iceland, keeping all options open.
Despite headlines about a “dramatic debate” in Reykjavik, it seems unlikely to lead to last-minute shifts. Swedish and Danish broadcasters have already strongly reaffirmed their principled stance against expelling members for political reasons. Hafstein will likely use the occasion to push for a united front, but given the existing realities, this appears nearly impossible.
Potential Outcomes: A November Vote Indicator
The Icelandic board’s decision at the end of the month carries two main possible outcomes, each sending a distinct message to Europe. A vote in favor of expelling Israel would place RÚV squarely among opponents, alongside Slovenia and Spain, adding pressure on the EBU and other Nordic nations. Conversely, a vote against expulsion would signal that despite the chairman’s sharp rhetoric, the board opts for a more moderate path aligned with its Scandinavian neighbors. Either way, the decision will serve as an important gauge ahead of the decisive EBU vote in early November.
Israel at Eurovision 2025
“New Day Will Rise” is the song performed by Yuval Raphael, who was chosen to represent Israel after winning the 11th season of “HaKokhav HaBa”. Israel advanced to the final after winning the second semi-final with 203 points and finished second overall with 357 points in the grand final. Israel ranked first in the public vote but only 14th with the jury. This marks the third consecutive year that Israel has reached the top five – an unprecedented achievement.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Israel’s 48th participation in Eurovision. Israel joined the contest in 1973 and has won four times. Its most recent victory was at Eurovision 2018 with the song “Toy”, performed by singer Netta Barzilai.
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Noy Yehoyada is an Israeli journalist and content creator at the EuroMix team since 2024, bringing a personal, feminine, and LGBTQ+ voice into the Eurovision sphere. A devoted Eurovision fan since the age of 16, she plays an active role in covering the contest—including on-site reporting at Eurovision 2025 in Basel and across European pre-party events. Alongside her writing and commentary, Noy plans the editorial schedule for the website, closely tracks national selections and song reveals, participates in live broadcasts, and creates digital content focusing on representation, musical diversity, and emotional connections.
Beyond her work at EuroMix, Noy has over six years of experience in the cosmetics and pharma industries, with a background in sales, personal consulting, and managing beauty departments. She enjoys pop, rap, contemporary art, and traveling in Europe—and especially loves songs that make her want to dance, as well as those that tell a story.
