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Nemo returns Eurovision trophy in protest against Israel's participation

2025-12-12 21:08:28Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Nemo

The winner of Eurovision 2024, Swiss singer Nemo, has announced that he has decided to return his trophy in protest against the decision to allow Israel to participate in the contest again.

Nemo, 26, who won Eurovision with the song The Code, said there was a "clear conflict" between Israel's participation and the contest's values, such as "unity, inclusion and dignity".

In a reaction to the BBC, the director of the Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Green, said that Eurovision is "sad" by the decision, adding that it fully respects the artist's position.

Israel's participation in the contest has sparked heightened tensions due to the war in Gaza and controversy over the voting process. Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands have confirmed they will boycott the 2025 edition because Israel was allowed to compete.

Israel has previously called this decision a "victory" over its critics.

In a statement published on Instagram, Nemo said that the decision by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) "is no longer in line with the core values" of Eurovision.

"Israel's continued participation, at a time when the UN Independent Commission has concluded that a genocide is being committed, contradicts the ideals of the festival," the artist wrote, adding that he no longer considers the trophy to be something that belongs to him.

The artist also released a video showing him placing the trophy in a box, which he said he would send to the EBU headquarters in Geneva. The dispute over Israel's participation has been described as the biggest crisis in the festival's history. In addition to political tensions, this year there were also accusations that the Israeli government had attempted to influence the public vote, which led to stricter rules for future editions.

However, a large majority of member states approved the continuation of the competition in 2026, without an additional vote to exclude any country. Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the decision to participate, calling it a “gesture of solidarity and cooperation.”

Commenting on the boycotts, Nemo said his decision is not about "specific individuals or artists", but about using Eurovision to "soften the image of a state accused of serious violations".

"If the values ??we celebrate on stage are not respected off stage, then even the most beautiful songs lose their meaning," the artist said.

The Gaza war erupted after Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. According to Hamas-run health authorities, more than 70,370 people have been killed in the Israeli offensive since then. The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest is expected to be held in Vienna, marking the 70th anniversary of the festival.


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