Nemo, the winner of last year's Eurovision Song Contest, has said they are returning their trophy in protest over Israel's continued participation in the event.
The 26-year-old Swiss singer said there is a clear conflict between Israel's involvement in the competition and the ideals of unity, inclusion and dignity the contest says it stands for.
Israel's presence at Eurovision has been an increasing source of tension, owing to the war in Gaza and a voting controversy during this year's event.
Five countries - Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands - have announced they will boycott next year's event due to Israel's allowed participation.
Israel has previously referred to the decision to keep its involvement in the contest a victory over those who criticized it.
Nemo made history by becoming the first non-binary performer to win Eurovision in 2024 with their song The Code, which reflects their personal journey.
Despite their success, Nemo conveyed feelings of isolation during the contest, stating that the organizers did not provide adequate support amid the controversy surrounding Israel's inclusion.
In an Instagram statement, Nemo expressed that the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) decision to continue accepting Israel as a participant contradicts the core values of the competition.
“Israel's continued participation, during what the UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry has concluded to be a genocide, shows a clear conflict between those ideals and the decision made by the EBU,” they asserted.
Nemo expressed gratitude for the supportive community surrounding Eurovision but emphasized that they no longer felt the trophy belonged to them and planned to return it to the EBU’s headquarters.
This decision underscores the growing crisis the Eurovision contest faces over its governance and the political implications of its entries.
Amid the backdrop of significant geopolitical strife, the next Eurovision is scheduled to take place in Vienna, marking its 70th anniversary amid ongoing debates regarding its values and participant eligibility.
