Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo to return trophy in protest at Israel's participation in 2026 Song Contest

Previous Eurovision winner Nemo has announced they will send their trophy back to the Eurovision headquarters in protest at Israel's participation in the 2026 Song Contest.

In a post on Instagram this afternoon, Nemo said though they are "immensely grateful for the community around this contest," they "no longer feel this trophy belongs on my shelf."

"Eurovision says it stands for unity, inclusion, and dignity for all," Nemo said.

"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 European Broadcasting Union."

The news follows last week's General Assembly meeting by Eurovision organiser European Broadcasting Union (EBU), where a majority of members reportedly felt a vote on Israel's participation was unnecessary.

Following the report, RTÉ announced Ireland would not participate in or broadcast the Contest. Broadcasters from Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland soon followed suit.

Nemo claimed Eurovision has been "repeatedly used to soften the image of a state accused of severe wrongdoing"  while continue to assert a stance of political neutrality.

"When entire countries withdraw over this contradiction, it should be clear that something is deeply wrong," Nemo said.

Nemo said they decided to send their trophy back to EBU headquarters in Geneva "with a clear message: Live what you claim."

"If the values we celebrate onstage aren't lived offstage, then even the most beautiful songs lose their meaning," said Nemo, adding, "I'm waiting for the moment those words and actions align. Until then, this trophy is yours."

 

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Several fellow Eurovision 2024 contestants expressed their support for Nemo on social media.

Portuguese singer Iolanda commented on Nemo's post, "Forever on the right side of history," while Greek musician Marina Satti wrote, "I love you baby!"

Complaints were made in 2024 about the conduct of the Israeli delegation by Ireland's Bambie Thug who said the Israeli broadcaster broke rules by inciting "violence" while Israeli performers "harassed" other competitors.

Multiple countries including Ireland also called for an investigation into the validity of votes after Israel's entry received the highest tally among the public vote.

Earlier today, Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green published an open letter to fans in which he said he "respects" the decision of boycotting countries to withdraw and hopes they will return "soon."

However, Green faced criticism on social media for not explicitly mentioning Gaza or Israel in the letter, instead vaguely referring to "events in the Middle East," and glossing over Israel's alleged rule violations in previous years.

"When faced with a divided world, the Eurovision Song Contest has the privileged role to offer a space where millions can celebrate what connects us," Green said.

"A space where music takes centre stage. A space that welcomes everyone - whoever you are, wherever you are, and whatever your views are about the world around us....In a challenging world we can indeed be United by Music."