Eurovision 2024 winner Nemo has announced they will be ‘sending back their trophy’ after Israel was permitted to compete in next year’s contest.
The Swiss singer, 26, won the contest with their song The Code, becoming the first openly non-binary musician to win the contest, and the third winner representing Switzerland.
However they’ve now announced they will be returning the trophy to the EBU headquarters in Geneva.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the performer wrote: ‘Last year I won Eurovision and with it I was awarded the trophy.
‘And even though I’m 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 feels this trophy belongs on my shelf.
‘Eurovision says it stands for unity, inclusion, and dignity for all. 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 decision made by the EBU.’
They went on: ‘This is not about individuals or artists. The contest was repeatedly used to soften the image of a state accused of severe wrongdoing, all while the EBU insisted Eurovision is “non-political”.
‘And when entire countries withdraw over this contradiction, it should be clear that something is deeply wrong.
‘That’s why I’ve decided that I’m sending my trophy back to the EBU headquarters in Geneva. With gratitude and 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.’
Nemo concluded their statement by writing: ‘I’m waiting for the moment those words and actions align. Until then, the trophy is yours.’
