Right after the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) broke the news that the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 will be held in Tel Aviv, Icelandic broadcaster RÚV announced that the country will be present at next year’s contest!

Earlier there were doubts as to wether Iceland would be participating or not, as several Icelandic musicians (among them Daði Freyr, who came 2nd in Söngvakeppnin 2017) co-signed a letter stating:

”We can not imagine participating in the Eurovision joy with good conscience while Israeli and their army deprives the Palestinians of a violent violence in the immediate vicinity”

RÚV themselves however have taken a very neutral position over the last months, not made any statements and, as is revealed now, have been constantly assessing the situation and have been in talks over it with their fellow Nordic broadcasters.
Skarphéðinn Guðmundsson says they have taken the situation very seriously and that after careful deliberation, the decision was taken to send a representative from Iceland to the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv.
He states:

The decision is based on the fact that there is no political event, but on the contrary, the gathering of different nations, which have been the main purpose of the broadcasting and community, and the sense of community and peace of mind that consists of contemporary music and culture in general.

This year, Iceland was represented by Ari Ólafsson with ‘Our Choice’:

What do you think Iceland will treat us to next year?