Iceland is the third country, after Slovenia and Spain, to approach the EBU on this matter. In an interview with the Visir newspaper, Gonnarsdottir said, “As an ordinary citizen, it strikes me as strange and unnatural that Israel is allowed to participate in Eurovision, given the war crimes and in fact ethnic cleansing that have occurred in Gaza over the past weeks and months.” Iceland is the third country, after Slovenia and Spain, to approach the EBU on this matter. In an interview with the Visir newspaper, Gonnarsdottir said, “As an ordinary citizen, it strikes me as strange and unnatural that Israel is allowed to participate in Eurovision, given the war crimes and in fact ethnic cleansing that have occurred in Gaza over the past weeks and months.” Iceland is the third country, after Slovenia and Spain, to approach the EBU on this matter.

In an interview with the Visir newspaper, Gonnarsdottir said, “As an ordinary citizen, it strikes me as strange and unnatural that Israel is allowed to participate in Eurovision, given the war crimes and in fact ethnic cleansing that have occurred in Gaza over the past weeks and months.” Echoing Spain’s public broadcaster, the minister urged an open debate among Europe’s national broadcasters over Israel’s inclusion. However, she made clear that Iceland should still compete if the contest goes ahead. “I think Iceland should participate if the competition is held but we need to examine the issue and act within the EBU regarding Israel’s participation,” she said.

Echoing Spain’s public broadcaster, the minister urged an open debate among Europe’s national broadcasters over Israel’s inclusion. However, she made clear that Iceland should still compete if the contest goes ahead. “I think Iceland should participate if the competition is held but we need to examine the issue and act within the EBU regarding Israel’s participation,” she said.

Echoing Spain’s public broadcaster, the minister urged an open debate among Europe’s national broadcasters over Israel’s inclusion. However, she made clear that Iceland should still compete if the contest goes ahead. “I think Iceland should participate if the competition is held but we need to examine the issue and act within the EBU regarding Israel’s participation,” she said.

The EBU has consistently rejected calls to exclude Israel, insisting Eurovision is a contest of public broadcasters not governments and must remain politically neutral. Broadcasters in Iceland, Spain and Slovenia counter that if neutrality is the rule they should be permitted an open discussion rather than having the EBU impose a verdict. The EBU has consistently rejected calls to exclude Israel, insisting Eurovision is a contest of public broadcasters not governments and must remain politically neutral.

Broadcasters in Iceland, Spain and Slovenia counter that if neutrality is the rule they should be permitted an open discussion rather than having the EBU impose a verdict. The EBU has consistently rejected calls to exclude Israel, insisting Eurovision is a contest of public broadcasters not governments and must remain politically neutral. Broadcasters in Iceland, Spain and Slovenia counter that if neutrality is the rule they should be permitted an open discussion rather than having the EBU impose a verdict.