Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo has announced that they are returning their 2024 victory trophy in protest against Israel’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. The singer, who won the 2024 competition with their operatic pop hit The Code, posted a video on Instagram showing the trophy being placed in a box to be sent back to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) headquarters in Geneva.

Protest Sparks Widespread Attention

Nemo’s statement follows Israel being cleared by the EBU to compete in the 2026 Eurovision contest in Vienna, Austria. The decision has prompted a boycott from five countries—Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland—who announced they would withdraw from the competition in solidarity with Palestinians.

“Eurovision says it stands for unity, for inclusion, and dignity for all people,” Nemo said in their statement. “Israel’s participation amid its ongoing attacks on Gaza shows that these ideals are at odds with the organisers’ decision.”

Contest director Martin Green responded to Nemo’s decision, saying organizers were “saddened” by the return of the trophy but respected the singer’s deeply held views. Green emphasized that Nemo and other artists remain valued members of the Eurovision family.

Solidarity From Past Winners

Nemo’s protest has inspired others to take a stand. Irish Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan, who won in 1994, announced plans to return his trophy in solidarity, acknowledging Nemo’s action as a gesture supporting the Palestinian people. The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign praised McGettigan’s decision as “great solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

“This is not about individuals or artists,” Nemo said. “It’s about the fact that the contest has been repeatedly used to soften the image of a state accused of severe wrongdoing, all while the EBU insists that this contest is non-political. If the values celebrated on stage aren’t lived off stage, then even the most beautiful songs become meaningless.”

Context: Israel’s Ongoing Conflict in Gaza

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in significant civilian casualties. According to the territory’s health authorities, at least 70,369 Palestinians have died during the ongoing conflict. Despite a ceasefire brokered in October with Hamas, Israeli airstrikes have continued, exacerbating humanitarian crises in the enclave.

Next year’s Eurovision will take place in Vienna, Austria, following Austrian singer JJ’s victory at the 2025 contest in Basel, Switzerland. Traditionally, the winning country hosts the following year, placing Austria at the center of a growing controversy over Israel’s participation.

Nemo’s protest, amplified by social media, has reignited debates over the intersection of politics and art in international cultural events. Critics argue that allowing Israel to participate amid ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza contradicts Eurovision’s stated values of unity and inclusion.