Nemo, the winner of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, has returned their trophy to the headquarters of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in protest of Israel’s inclusion in the 2026 competition.
On December 4, members of the EBU decided that Israel would be allowed to participate in the annual singing contest despite their involvement in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as well as concerns over the voting process in last year’s contest. Eurovision will be held in Vienna on May 16 following singer JJ’s win for his song ‘Wasted Love’.
It was confirmed that 65 per cent of delegates voted in favour of a rule change in the voting and promotion process and no further discussion of Israel’s participation; while 23 per cent voted against and a further 10 per cent abstained. Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, said the country “deserves to be represented on every stage around the world” and he hopes “the competition will remain one that champions culture, music, friendship between nations, and cross-border cultural understanding.”
That same day, four countries dropped out of the competition including Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain. Iceland also withdrew from the competition shortly afterwards. Meanwhile, 11 of the 16 entrants of Portugal’s song selection contest have stated they will refuse to perform if they win, putting the country’s participation at risk.
In the UK, the BBC said it would broadcast the contest next year, saying it supports “the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive.” German broadcaster SWR has also confirmed it’ll be taking part.
Nemo won the 2024 contest representing Switzerland with ‘The Code’, becoming the first openly non-binary performer to win the competition. Today (December 11), they took to Instagram to announce they would be returning their trophy.
“Even though I’m immensely grateful for the community around this contest and everything this experience has taught me both as a person and artist, today I no longer feel this trophy belongs on my shelf,” they wrote. “Eurovision says it stands for unity, inclusion, and dignity for all. Those values made this contest meaningful to me. But 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 decisions made by the EBU.”
They continued: “This is not about individuals or artists. The contest was repeatedly used to soften the image of a state accused of severe wrongdoing, all while the EBU insisted Eurovision is ‘non-political.’ And when entire countries withdraw over this contradiction, it should be clear that something is deeply wrong.”
“That’s why I’ve decided that I’m sending my trophy back to the EBU headquarters in Geneva. With gratitude and with a clear message: Live what you claim.”
They concluded: “I’m waiting for the moment those words and actions align. Until then, this trophy is yours.”
Earlier today, prior to Nemo’s post, Eurovision director Martin Green shared an open letter to Eurovision fans addressing the decision to include Israel in this year’s competition. He acknowledged that “many of you will be feeling strong emotions at this time” – particularly around “events in the Middle East and how those realities connect to the Eurovision Song Contest”.
However, he cautioned fans who “want us to take a defined position on geo-political events”, explaining: “The only way the Eurovision Song Contest can continue to bring people together is by ensuring we are guided by our rules first and foremost”.
He assured readers that all competing countries will “respect the rules”, and “if they don’t you have a personal pledge from me, we will not tolerate it and call it out”. Regarding the countries who have withdrawn, he acknowledged that the broadcasters “made a decision that was right for them and contributed to the debate with great dignity”, and that “all of us here respect their position and decision”. He promised that the EBU would “continue to work with them as friends and colleagues in the hope they return to the Contest soon”.
Prior to the December 4 vote, the EBU also announced that there would be rule changes surrounding voting and promotion following concerns over Israel’s campaign last year. They placed second with performer Yuval Raphael, whose performance of ‘New Day Will Rise’ got a significant push in votes from the public after just garnering 60 votes from the various European juries.
Under the new rules, fans will now have a decreased amount of votes, juries will be reintroduced to the semi-finals and there will be seven jurors total – two more than usual.
