Eurovision 2024 winner Nemo, the first non-binary artist to win the contest, has said they will return their trophy in protest against Israel’s continued participation, according to the BBC.
The 26-year-old Swiss artist said the decision reflects what they see as a contradiction between Eurovision’s stated values of unity and inclusion and the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) decision to allow Israel to compete amid the war in Gaza.
Nemo said Eurovision’s values risk losing meaning if they are not upheld beyond the stage and explained that keeping the trophy no longer felt appropriate. They shared a video showing the trophy being packaged for return to the EBU’s headquarters in Geneva, while stressing that the protest is directed at institutions rather than individual artists.
Israel’s inclusion has led to controversy, protests, voting disputes and announced boycotts by Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands for next year’s contest. The EBU, however, said a majority of its members supported continuing the competition and did not call for another vote.
Next year’s Eurovision is scheduled to take place in Vienna as the contest marks its 70th anniversary.
