"Iceland has become the fifth country to boycott next year's Eurovision song contest after Israel was given the go-ahead to compete, deepening the crisis facing the competition. The board of the national broadcaster, RUV, voted on Wednesday not to participate, meaning Iceland will join Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Ireland in neither participating in nor broadcasting the event, which is scheduled to take place in Vienna."
"Last week the contest's organising body, the European Broadcasting Union, declined to expel Israel over its conduct of the war against Hamas in Gaza. RUV said in a statement that given the public debate in this country it is clear that neither joy nor peace will prevail regarding the participation of RUV in Eurovision. It is therefore the conclusion of RUV to notify the EBU today that RUV will not take part in Eurovision next year."
Iceland's national broadcaster RUV voted not to participate in next year's Eurovision, joining Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Ireland in boycotting and not broadcasting the contest. The EBU declined to expel Israel despite concerns about its conduct in the Gaza war. RUV said public debate made clear that neither joy nor peace would prevail from participation and said its concerns raised with the EBU were not addressed. The Gaza war has sparked protests at Eurovision venues and led organisers to restrict political flag-waving. The EBU adopted tougher voting rules but did not exclude any broadcaster. Walkouts threaten the contest's feelgood image, fans and finances.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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