Three RÚV board members oppose Eurovision boycott

Three of the nine members of RÚV’s board have opposed a recommendation that Iceland boycott Eurovision again in 2027, mbl.is reported. The recommendation was made to the broadcaster’s director general.

Eiríkur Svavarsson, Ingvar Smári Birgisson and Unnur Brá Konráðsdóttir recorded their opposition to the majority’s proposal.

“We reiterate our view that it is not the role of RÚV’s board to make political decisions,” they wrote. Eurovision is an annual international song contest held under the motto “United by Music”, they said, and is not a forum for sending political messages between countries.

The three also said the European Broadcasting Union had decided through its proper channels not to exclude Israel from the competition. They noted that this was in line with decisions by international sports organisations on Israel’s right to take part in sporting events.

RÚV is required by law to promote cultural diversity in its work, the members said. A record number of songs had already been received for Iceland’s part of the contest, they added, and they therefore did not support a boycott over Israel’s participation.

Eurovision will be held in the Bulgarian city of Burgas from May 12 to 15.