Nemo became the first non-binary performer to win the Eurovision Song Contest last year, but has now said they are returning their trophy in protest over Israel’s continued participation in the event
Last year’s Eurovision Song Contest champion, Nemo, has announced they are handing back their trophy in protest at Israel’s ongoing participation in the competition.
The 26-year-old Swiss performer claimed there was a “clear conflict” between Israel’s involvement and the contest’s proclaimed values of “unity, inclusion and dignity”. Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green expressed that the organisation was “saddened” by Nemo’s choice whilst acknowledging their right to hold such views.
Israel’s participation in Eurovision has become an increasingly contentious issue due to the Gaza conflict and voting disputes that emerged during this year’s competition. Five nations – Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands – have declared they will shun next year’s contest in response to Israel being permitted to take part.
Israel has previously hailed the decision to retain its place in the competition as a “victory” against detractors who sought to silence the country and promote animosity. Nemo made history as the first non-binary artist to claim the Eurovision crown with their track The Code, which chronicles their journey to understanding their non-binary identity.
Following their triumph, Nemo spoke to the BBC about the difficulties they encountered during the contest and their belief that organisers had fallen short in supporting contestants embroiled in the controversy surrounding Israel’s 2024 inclusion.
“I felt very alone. I really hope they have things in place for the next year,” Nemo remarked at the time, leading to the introduction of several new safeguarding measures to protect participants’ mental well-being. The well-being of Eurovision’s artists and staff has been called into question.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Nemo expressed their disappointment with the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) decision to allow Israel to participate in the event, stating it contradicts 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, referencing 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.”
Nemo also shared a video of them packing the trophy into a cardboard box, ready to be returned to the EBU’s headquarters in Geneva.
Responding to Nemo’s actions, Martin Green told BBC News: “We’re saddened that Nemo wishes to return their trophy which they deservedly won in 2024. We respect the deeply held views Nemo has expressed and they will always remain a valued part of the Eurovision family”.
The controversy surrounding Israel’s inclusion has sparked the biggest crisis Eurovision has ever faced. This year’s competition was further marred by voting controversies and allegations that Israel’s government attempted to sway the public vote.
This led to some competition rules being revised and tightened, after which a “large majority” of members agreed there was no. The EBU has confirmed that there is no need for a further vote on participation and that Eurovision 2026 can go ahead as planned.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has lauded the decision to let the country compete, describing it as an “appreciated gesture of solidarity, brotherhood, and co-operation”.
Addressing the boycotts, Nemo clarified that their decision to return the trophy was not about “individuals or artists”, but rather what they perceived as the use of Eurovision to “soften the image of a state accused of severe wrongdoing”.
“When entire countries withdraw, it should be clear that something is deeply wrong,” they added. “If the values we celebrate on stage aren’t lived off stage, then even the most beautiful songs become meaningless.”
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