Eurovision Fallout: 2024 Winner Returns Trophy in Protest of Israel’s Inclusion
A growing wave of protest against Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is gaining momentum, with 2024 champion Nemo announcing the return of their trophy to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). This act of solidarity follows similar decisions by multiple countries to boycott the competition amid escalating concerns over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The initial announcement came on Friday, with the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign sharing a video featuring a message from the 2024 winner. According to a statement relayed by Charlie McGettigan, winner of the 1994 contest with “Rock ’n’ Roll Kids,” Nemo communicated via Instagram that they were returning the trophy “in protest at Israel’s inclusion in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.” McGettigan, echoing the sentiment, stated he would also return his 1994 trophy if he could locate it.
“They came across as sincere and a very intelligent person and stated their case very well, and therefore in support of Nemo I would like to return my trophy to the EBU as well,” McGettigan said.
The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) hailed the move as “great solidarity with the Palestinian people,” accusing the EBU of prioritizing “artwashing of genocide” but acknowledging a shifting public opinion. “The tide has turned and artists and the public reject that!” the IPSC stated.
Nemo, the 26-year-old Swiss singer who made history as the first openly non-binary Eurovision winner with their song “The Code,” articulated their reasoning in a statement posted on Instagram. “Last year I won Eurovision and with it I was awarded the trophy,” they wrote. “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 feel this trophy belongs on my shelf.”
This decision arrives as Iceland became the fifth nation to withdraw from the 2026 contest, joining Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands in protest. These countries cite Israel’s conduct during its military action in Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed 70,000, as the primary reason for their boycott. Calls for Israel’s exclusion from the competition have intensified in recent weeks, with prominent figures like Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin labeling the situation a genocide.
The escalating controversy raises serious questions about the future of the Eurovision Song Contest and the EBU’s commitment to remaining politically neutral in the face of widespread international condemnation. The actions of Nemo and McGettigan, alongside the growing number of boycotting nations, signal a potential turning point for the beloved musical competition.
