""Eurovision says it stands for unity, inclusion, and dignity for all," Nemo wrote in a statement. "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," they went on, referring to the European Broadcasting Union, which operates the annual contest."
"Nemo from Switzerland holds up the broken trophy at the award ceremony in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Nemo accidentally broke the trophy on stage after winning and was given a replacement trophy.Jens Büttner / picture alliance via Getty Images Last year's winner of the Eurovision Song Contest says they are returning their trophy to the contest's governing body in protest of Israel's inclusion in the 2026 competition"
Nemo Mettler, who won Eurovision 2024 representing Switzerland, announced the return of their trophy to the European Broadcasting Union headquarters in Geneva in protest of Israel's inclusion in the 2026 contest. Nemo said they are immensely grateful for the Eurovision community but no longer feel the trophy belongs on their shelf. Nemo wrote that Eurovision claims unity, inclusion, and dignity, but Israel's continued participation amid a UN commission's conclusion of genocide creates a clear conflict with those ideals and EBU decisions. In a video, Nemo placed the trophy in a box and said they are mailing it back. Nemo was the first nonbinary winner of Eurovision. Advocates criticized organizers for enabling and whitewashing Israel's ongoing genocide, and pressure campaigns seek Israel's exclusion.
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