Nemo, the winner of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, has taken the symbolic step of returning their trophy to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in response to Israel’s participation in the competition.
In a statement shared online, Nemo explained the decision as a gesture rooted in respect for the values Eurovision represents. “I will always be grateful to the Eurovision community, the fans who voted, the artists I shared the stage with, and the experience that shaped me as a person and musician,” Nemo wrote.
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The artist stressed that the decision is not a rejection of the people who make Eurovision special, but a stand in alignment with the contest’s principles. “Music continues to unite us. That belief has not changed,” Nemo added.
The announcement follows a wave of controversy surrounding Israel’s presence in the contest, which has also led to the withdrawal of several countries. Nemo’s action adds a notable symbolic gesture to the ongoing debate, highlighting tensions within the Eurovision community while reaffirming music’s role as a force for connection across borders.
