Geneva, Dec. 12 (SANA) Nemo, last year’s Eurovision winner, announced Thursday that he is returning the 2024 trophy in protest against Israel’s continued participation, which has already prompted five countries to withdraw.
The Swiss vocalist said on Instagram, “I no longer feel like this trophy belongs on my shelf. Israel’s continued participation, during what the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry has concluded to be a genocide, demonstrates a clear conflict between those ideals and the decisions the EBU is making.”
He added, “When entire countries withdraw, it should be very clear that something is deeply wrong. That’s why I decided to send this trophy back to the EBU headquarters in Geneva, with gratitude and with a clear message: live what you claim.”
The widespread opposition to Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip has led to growing calls for its exclusion from the contest. Public broadcasters in Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland have announced they are boycotting the 70th edition of the song contest, scheduled to be held in Vienna in May.
