Last year’s Eurovision champion, Nemo, has announced they will return their winner’s trophy, citing a fundamental conflict between the contest’s stated values and Israel’s continued participation.
The 26-year-old Swiss artist, who won Eurovision with the song The Code, said the decision follows months of growing discomfort. In a statement posted on Instagram, Nemo wrote that the European Broadcasting Union’s choice to keep Israel in the 2026 competition “no longer aligns with the ideals of unity, inclusion, and dignity that Eurovision claims to represent.”
They referenced findings by the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which has described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, saying Israel’s participation “shows a clear conflict between those ideals and the decision made by the EBU.”
Nemo added that, despite gratitude for the Eurovision community and the experience of competing, “I no longer feel this trophy belongs on my shelf.” A short video accompanied the post, showing the glass trophy being placed into a cardboard box to be returned to the EBU’s headquarters in Geneva.
Tensions surrounding Israel’s place in Eurovision have escalated sharply over the past year, driven by the war in Gaza and allegations of political interference in the 2024 voting process. Five countries — Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands — have announced they will boycott the 2026 contest in response to Israel’s inclusion.
Israel has called the decision to allow it to remain in the competition a “victory,” arguing that attempts to exclude it stem from efforts to silence the country.
In comments to BBC News, Eurovision director Martin Green said the organization was “saddened” by Nemo’s decision but respected their position. “They deservedly won in 2024 and will always remain a valued part of the Eurovision family,” he said.
Nemo has previously spoken about feeling unsupported during last year’s contest as tensions grew over Israel’s participation. Their concerns contributed to several new policies aimed at protecting the mental well-being of artists and staff.
The EBU has said that following rule changes introduced after the 2024 controversy, a “large majority” of its members found no need for a further vote on participation for 2026. The organization maintains the contest can proceed as planned.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has praised the decision to include the country, calling it an “appreciated gesture of solidarity, brotherhood, and co-operation.”
Nemo emphasized that their decision was not directed at individual performers but at what they view as the use of Eurovision to rehabilitate the international image of a state “accused of severe wrongdoing.” They added: “When entire countries withdraw, it should be clear that something is deeply wrong. If the values we celebrate on stage aren’t lived off stage, then even the most beautiful songs become meaningless.”
