Iceland Boycotts Eurovision, Joining Four-Nation Protest Over Israel

Iceland will not compete in next year's Eurovision Song Contest. The country's public broadcaster, RUV, announced the decision on Wednesday. Iceland is the fifth country to withdraw. It follows Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia, which all left the contest last week. The growing boycott is a direct protest against Israel's participation. The countries criticize Israel's military actions in Gaza. They also accuse the Eurovision Song Contest of becoming a political platform. The event's rules traditionally ban political messaging. Eurovision organizers have allowed Israel to compete. This has triggered the coordinated wave of withdrawals.