Music Because of Israel's participation: Nemo sends back ESC trophy
For Nemo, Israel's continued participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is a contradiction to the ideals and values of the singing competition. That's why Nemo now wants to send the trophy back.
11.12.2025, 17:30
SDA
According to Nemo, the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) stands for unity, inclusion and dignity for all. "These values have made this competition meaningful to me," Nemo wrote to fans on Instagram. "Blick.ch" had previously reported on this. However, because Israel is still allowed to participate in the ESC "during an event that the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry has classified as genocide", Nemo sees a contradiction between the ideals of the ESC and the decisions of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
A week ago, the member broadcasters of the EBU voted in Geneva and this vote resulted in Israel being able to take part in the ESC in Vienna in 2026. In the meantime, five countries, including Spain and the Netherlands, have announced that they will not be taking part in next year's ESC in Vienna as a result.
In the post, Nemo writes that the ESC has repeatedly been used to whitewash the image of a state accused of serious misconduct, "while the EBU insisted that Eurovision was apolitical". He continued: "If participating countries withdraw because of this contradiction, it should be clear that something is fundamentally wrong."
In 2024, Nemo proudly held up the trophy after winning with the song "The Code" in Malmö, Sweden. Now it will no longer be on Nemo's shelf - even though the music star writes on Instagram, "although I am eternally grateful to the community surrounding this competition and everything this experience has taught me both as a person and as an artist".
