Overview
- RÚV formally told the EBU on the national confirmation deadline that Iceland will not take part, citing a lack of public support and saying there would be neither joy nor calm around participation.
- Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland have now withdrawn, with Spain’s status as a Big Five market heightening concern over viewership and ad revenue.
- RTVE will not air the semifinals or final, though Spanish fans can watch the official live stream on YouTube and vote via the Eurovision app under the Rest of the World tally.
- Broadcasters pointed to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to press-freedom concerns as reasons for withdrawing, with Avrotros and RTÉ highlighting violations of human rights and attacks on journalists.
- The EBU tightened voting rules but declined to exclude Israel or hold a vote on its participation, and it plans to publish the final list of competing countries before Christmas ahead of the May contest in Vienna.