"In an Instagram video, Nemo held the microphone-shaped glass ornament and said today I no longer feel like this trophy belongs on my shelf. Eurovision says it stands for unity, for inclusion and dignity for all people, Nemo said, adding that Israel's participation, given its conduct of the war against Hamas in Gaza, shows those ideals are at odds with organizers' decisions."
"Five countries have announced they will boycott the 2026 contest after organizers declined to expel Israel: Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland. When entire countries withdraw it should be clear that something is deeply wrong, Nemo said before placing the trophy in a box they said would be sent to the Geneva headquarters of the European Broadcasting Union, which runs Eurovision."
"The contest, which turns 70 in 2026, strives to put pop before politics, but has repeatedly been embroiled in world events. Russia was expelled in 2022 after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It has been roiled by the war in Gaza for the past two years, stirring protests outside the venues and forcing organizers to clamp down on political flag-waving."
Nemo, a nonbinary Swiss singer who won the 2024 contest with the pop-operatic ode "The Code", will return the microphone-shaped winner's trophy in protest of Israel's participation amid the war in Gaza. The trophy will be boxed for delivery to the European Broadcasting Union headquarters in Geneva. Five countries — Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland — have announced boycotts of the 2026 contest after organizers declined to expel Israel. Vienna is scheduled to host Eurovision in 2026 after Austria's JJ won the 2025 contest in Basel. The contest has faced repeated political controversies, including Russia's 2022 expulsion and protests tied to the Gaza war.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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