Iceland

How three Holocaust era Jewish refugees built Iceland’s classical music scene from scratch

Iceland’s prime minister closed the borders to Jews, but three men who slipped in changed the country’s history.

Victor Urbancic conducts a makeshift orchestra in Reykjavik, Iceland, sometime after World War II.
Jewish community at the opening ceremony of the Beit Shvidler Jewish Center of Iceland.

Chabad couple turns a small dream into Iceland's historic first Jewish cultural center - interview

 Noam Bettan representing Israel and guests celebrate during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest at Wiener Stadthalle on May 17, 2026 in Vienna, Austria.

Eurovision chief rules out future votes on Israel's participation despite ongoing country boycotts

Here, posters display assassinated military leaders, including IRGC commander-in-chief Hossein Salami (center), in Tehran at the end of June.

Six countries designate IRGC terrorist organization following discussions with Sa'ar


Eurovision host says it won't ban Palestinian flags, drown out boos during Israel's performance

The 70th edition of the contest in May will have just 35 entries, the fewest since 2003, after five national broadcasters said they would boycott the show in protest against Israel's participation.

Pro-Palestinian protestors hold a flag and a banner outside the RTE (Radio Telefis Eireann) Irish public service broadcaster television studios as demonstrators call for an Irish boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if there is Israeli participation, in Dublin, Ireland, November 1, 2025.

Eurovision rule changes threaten Israel's chances at success amid boycotts

CULTURAL AFFAIRS: Iceland joins a growing list of countries boycotting Eurovision 2026 due to Israel’s participation, as new voting rules create challenges for Israel’s success.

ISRAEL HAS been singled out as no country ever has been before at Eurovision. Here, viewers cheer as they watch this year’s Eurovision Song Contest finals being screened at a community center in Tel Aviv, in May.

Iceland to boycott 2026 Eurovision in protest of go-ahead for Israel

Iceland, which has never won the song contest, will join Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia in their boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.

VÆB, representing Iceland, perform "ROA", during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025.

The ranking every traveler must know: The safest countries to visit in 2026

A new survey ranks the safest countries for travel in 2026. Europe takes 10 of the top 15 spots, while Iceland loses its crown due to active volcanoes.

Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Six European foreign ministers condemn Israel's planned Gaza City operation

In the statement, the ministers said that they "condemn the most recent Israeli offensive launched in the Strip and the announcement to establish a permanent presence in Gaza City."

An IDF soldier operates on the outskirts of Gaza City, in northern Gaza, August 27, 2025

Israel beats Iceland 83-71 to open 2025 EuroBasket campaign

Avdija and Sorkin lead Israel past Iceland 83-71 in EuroBasket opener.

 ISRAEL PLAYERS celebrate with their fans after beating Iceland 83-71 on Thursday in Katowice, Poland, to open group play at EuroBasket 2025.

Israeli artists should compete in Eurovision under a neutral flag, Icelandic official suggests

The EBU will discuss a call from Iceland’s public broadcaster to ban Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest in its upcoming meeting of the EBU General Assembly in London.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, attends the second semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 15, 2025

Iceland to call for EBU to ban Israel at London meeting in July

The EBU will discuss a call from Iceland’s public broadcaster to ban Israel from Eurovision in its upcoming meeting of the EBU General Assembly in London.

 A person holds a flag during the Grand Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo, Sweden, May 12, 2024.

Six European countries warn against demographic changes in Gaza

In a rare coordinated statement, the foreign ministers of Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, and Slovenia said the proposed expansion would mark a dangerous escalation.

 Palestinians make their way as they flee their homes, after the Israeli army issued evacuation orders, in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip March 25, 2025.

Not the same Vikings: Genetic study reveals surprising differences between Iceland and Faroe Island

Discovery challenges assumptions about the uniformity of Viking settlements in the North Atlantic.

 A viking woman.