Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo returns their trophy in protest of Israel's participation in the contest, citing the ongoing war in Gaza and the contest's ideals of inclusion and dignity. Nemo, a non-binary singer who won in 2024 with the unique fusion of drum-and-bass, opera, rap, and rock in their song 'The Code', believes that Israel's involvement contradicts the contest's core values. This move follows the withdrawal of five countries from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organizers of Eurovision, after Israel was cleared to participate in next year's event in Austria. Nemo's statement on Instagram emphasizes the disparity between Eurovision's stated values of unity, inclusion, and dignity and the reality of Israel's participation during a period of alleged genocide, as concluded by the UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry. The singer's action is a powerful statement, sending a clear message to the EBU and the global audience of around 160 million viewers. Nemo challenges the EBU to live up to its claims of non-politicization, urging the organization to align its on-stage and off-stage actions. This protest highlights the complex relationship between art, politics, and human rights, inviting viewers to question the role of Eurovision in addressing global issues.
