Björk weighs in on Iceland's Eurovision 2026 potential boycott

Image: Björk (Facebook)

Next week, Icelandic broadcaster RÚV will decide whether they are joining the boycott against Israel in Eurovision.

Ahead of their decision, one of their most famous exports, the singer Björk has weighed in.

She took to X to share an article where Icelandic singer Páll Óskar Hjálmtýsson (aka Paul Oscar, who competed at Eurovision 1997) called on RÚV to withdraw.

In the article he stated:

"The fact that Israel is allowed to be included now after everything that has happened before simply means that the EBU is a scumbag, and even if the EBU is a scumbag who can't set limits, who can't set limits for war criminals, we don't have to be scumbags."

In response, Björk posted:

We stand by every single word of Páll Óskar's and wish the RÚV board courage in decision-making on Wednesday. Think with the heart, thanks Páll Óskar x

In 2019, Paul called for a boycott of Eurovision being held in Israel.

However, his comments received condemnation and accusations of anti-Semitism. He said at the time:

“The reason why the rest of Europe has been virtually silent is that Jews have woven themselves into the fabric of Europe in a very sly way for a very long time. It is not at all hip and cool to be pro-Palestine in Britain.”

“The tragedy is that Jews learned nothing from the Holocaust. Instead, they have taken up the exact same policy of their worst enemy.”

He apologised for his comments, stating:

“I made judgements and generalisations about Jewish people. … I take full responsibility for these words, take back my remarks about Jewish people, they are wrong and hurtful. I will take responsibility in actions, from this point forward, and will never again speak ill of the Jewish people, wherever in the world they may live.”

In September, Björk joined the No Music For Genocide movement, which means her music unavailable on streaming services in Israel.

Iceland's decision on Eurovision 2026

Icelandic broadcaster RÚV has stated that its board will discuss on Wednesday whether Iceland will take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.

Following the vote, broadcasters from four countries announced their withdrawal from the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, including the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and "Big 5" nation Spain.

Last week, the RÚV board approved a recommendation that Israel be excluded from the contest.

Stefán Jón Hafstein, chairman of the board of RÚV, stated last week:

"A majority today agreed to recommend to the board of the European Broadcasting Union, EBU, to expel Israel from the competition next spring 2026."

He says the resolution was approved by five votes out of nine at the RÚV board meeting on November 26th.

On November 26th, when asked if RUV will participate in Eurovision if Israel is not barred from participating, RÚV board chairman Stefán Jón Hafstein said: "It will be discussed at a special board meeting after the EBU meeting. No position was taken on it at today's meeting."

That special board meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, 10th December, with more updates to come following the meeting.

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