Eurovision Winner Nemo Returns Trophy in Protest Against Israel’s Participation

Swiss singer Nemo, the winner of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, has announced they are returning their winner’s trophy in a dramatic protest against Israel’s confirmed participation in the Eurovision 2026 competition. Nemo—who identifies as non-binary and won the contest with the song The Code—made the announcement in a video posted on social media, saying the decision to allow Israel to compete undermines the core values of the contest. The Guardian+1

In the Instagram video, Nemo held the iconic crystal microphone trophy and said, “Today I no longer feel like this trophy belongs on my shelf,” explaining that the European Broadcasting Union’s choice to include Israel despite ongoing conflict contrasts sharply with Eurovision’s stated principles of unity, inclusion and dignity for all people. AP News+1

The protest comes amid broader controversy over Israel’s continued presence in the competition while the war in Gaza persists, a conflict flagged by some international bodies as involving potential war crimes. Several participating countries—Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland—have already announced boycotts of the 2026 contest in response to the decision, significantly impacting what is traditionally one of the world’s most-watched cultural events. AP News+1

Eurovision organisers, represented by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), have defended the inclusion of all eligible broadcasters and insisted that the contest is a non-political celebration of music. The EBU said it “regrets” Nemo’s decision but acknowledged their right to express personal views. AP News

Nemo’s protest marks an uncommon moment in Eurovision history, highlighting how broader geopolitical tensions are increasingly intersecting with global cultural events and prompting debates about the boundaries between art, politics and values. euronews