Français
Español
English
Portuguese
“When entire countries withdraw, it should be clear that something is deeply wrong,” Nemo said, before placing the trophy into a box.
By United with Israel Staff
Swiss singer Nemo, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024, announced Thursday that they are returning their trophy as part of a renewed protest targeting Israel’s continued participation in the competition amid the war in Gaza.
Nemo, a nonbinary performer who won with the genre-blending song “The Code,” said Israel’s inclusion contradicts what they described as Eurovision’s stated values of inclusion and dignity. The move comes as the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovision, reaffirmed Israel’s eligibility to compete next year despite sustained political pressure from activists and several broadcasters.
The decision has turned Eurovision into a platform for anti-Israel campaigns, with critics attempting to use the contest to isolate Israel internationally rather than preserve its cultural and nonpolitical character.
Five countries have announced they will boycott the 2026 competition after failing to persuade organizers to exclude Israel. Those countries are Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands.
Responding to Nemo’s action, Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green said the organization was “saddened” by the decision and added that Eurovision respects differing viewpoints.
Israel’s participation has become a growing source of controversy following the war launched by Hamas on October 7, as well as disputes surrounding audience voting during this year’s contest. Israeli officials have previously described the EBU’s decision to keep Israel in Eurovision as a “victory” over efforts to silence the country and delegitimize it on the international stage.
In a video shared online, Nemo held the microphone-shaped glass trophy and said, “today I no longer feel like this trophy belongs on my shelf.”
“Eurovision says it stands for unity, for inclusion and dignity for all people,” Nemo said, adding that Israel’s participation, given its conduct of the war against Hamas in Gaza, shows those ideals are at odds with organizers’ decisions.
“When entire countries withdraw, it should be clear that something is deeply wrong,” Nemo said, before placing the trophy into a box they said would be sent to the European Broadcasting Union’s headquarters in Geneva.
Nemo also said the EBU’s decision to allow Israel to remain in the contest no longer aligned with its core values.
“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 said, referring to a report released in September.
“Even though I am 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.”
The latest protest followed Iceland’s announcement earlier this week that it would withdraw from Eurovision 2026 in response to Israel’s participation, joining Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands in a coordinated boycott. Iceland’s national broadcaster said the decision was tied directly to Israel being allowed to compete, claiming the issue had created internal division.
The withdrawal announcements came despite a failed attempt by a small group of broadcasters to force a vote at the European Broadcasting Union’s General Assembly in Geneva to expel Israel. Representatives from 56 member states attended the closed-door meeting, where updated rules for Eurovision 2026 were finalized.
After a confidential ballot, the EBU concluded there was no basis to exclude Israel, reaffirming that Eurovision is a competition between public broadcasters rather than a political tribunal. Israel’s broadcaster Kan continues to meet all participation requirements.
Eurovision 2026 is scheduled to take place in Vienna in May, following Austria’s victory at the 2025 contest in Basel. Under long-standing Eurovision tradition, the winning country hosts the following year’s event.
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
