Nemo, winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024 for Switzerland, announced that he will return the trophy won in the contest. The decision comes as a form of protest against Israel’s presence in the competition, something that the artist considers incompatible with the values that the event claims to represent.
In a statement released on Instagram, Nemo explained that he no longer feels that the trophy belongs to him, despite his gratitude for the impact that Eurovision had on his artistic and personal journey. The musician criticized the fact that the competition defends principles such as unity, inclusion and dignity while, according to him, it continues to welcome the participation of a State accused of serious dishonesty by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry.
Nemo stressed that he is not questioning artists or individuals, but rather the way in which the event has been used to improve Israel’s image, while the European Broadcasting Union insists that the event is apolitical. The artist added that the departure of several countries because they disagreed with this situation demonstrates that something is deeply wrong.
Given this scenario, Nemo stated that he decided to return the trophy directly to the headquarters of the European Broadcasting Union, in Geneva. According to the artist, it makes no sense to celebrate values on stage that are not put into practice off stage.
This position is not new. In May, before the 2025 edition of the contest, Nemo had already stated that Israel’s presence made no sense while the offensive in the Gaza Strip was taking place. At the same time, he acknowledged supporting the call by several artists for Israel’s exclusion from the competition.
Israeli participation in 2024 was marked by protests, criticism and controversy. Before the event, several competitors, including the Portuguese Iolanda, issued a joint statement condemning all forms of hate. During the contest, Swedish singer Eric Saade was criticized for wearing a keffiyeh on his arm, a gesture seen as symbolic. Iolanda’s performance in the final was removed from social media for showing the pattern of the same scarf on her nails, a detail that did not go unnoticed.
The debate over Israel’s presence at Eurovision continues to generate divisions, and Nemo’s decision brings the issue back to the center of public discussion.
