Nemo will return Eurovision trophy back over Israel's inclusion

Nemo won Eurovision 2024 for Switzerland in Malmö. Photo: Eurovision/EBU

Eurovision 2024 winner Nemo has announced they will send their trophy back to the EBU headquarters in Geneva following the decision to let Israel compete in next year's contest.

In a statement posted to Instagram on Thursday night, they said while they are grateful for Eurovision's community and the opportunities it has brought, values of unity, inclusion and dignity have not been upheld with choices and ideals of the EBU.

The full statement reads as follows:

"Last year I won Eurovision and with it I was awarded the trophy. And even thought 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.

"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 decisions made by the EBU.

"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 clearly wrong.

"That's why I've decided that I'm sending my trophy back to the EBU headquarters in Geneva. With gratitude and a clear message.

"Live what you claim.

"If the values we celebrate onstafe aren't lived in offstage, then even the most beautiful songs lose their meaning. I'm waiting for the moment those words and actions align. Until then, this trophy is yours.

"Nemo."

The statement comes less than 24 hours after Iceland officially became the fifth nation to join the boycott of next year's Eurovision in Vienna. 

You can view Nemo's full post here.

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