Two former winners, Nemo & Charlie McGettigan, have revealed that they will be returning their winners trophies to the EBU, in a protest of Israel’s continued participation.

Nemo was the first to confirm the news. Taking to social media yesterday, they had the following to say:

“Last year I won Eurovision and with it I was awarded the trophy.

And even though I’m immensely grateful for the community around this contest and everything this experience has taught me both as a person and artist, today I no longer feel this trophy belongs on my shelf. Eurovision says it stands for unity, inclusion, and dignity for all. Those values made this contest meaningful to me.

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. This is not about individuals or artists. The contest was repeatedly used to soften the image of a state accused of severe wrongdoing, all while the EBU insisted Eurovision is “non-political.”

And when entire countries withdraw over this contradiction, it should be clear that something is deeply wrong. That’s why I’ve decided that I’m sending my trophy back to the EBU headquarters in Geneva.
With gratitude and with a clear message:

Live what you claim.

If the values we celebrate onstage aren’t lived offstage, then even the most beautiful songs lose their meaning. I’m waiting for the moment those words and actions align.

Until then, this trophy is yours.

Nemo“

Charlie McGettigan confirmed the news earlier today. Taking to social media, he had the following to say:

“They came across as sincere and a very intelligent person and stated their case very well, and therefore in support of Nemo I would like to return my trophy to the EBU as well.

Unfortunately our win was in 1994 and I can’t lay my hands on whatever trophy we received back then, but if I do find it I will return my trophy as well. Thanks for listening.”

Let us know what you think about Ireland, Israel, Switzerland, the 1994, the 2024 and the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest – either in the comments below or on our FACEBOOK, BLUESKY, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, INSTAGRAM and TIKTOK pages.

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Author: Richard Taylor

Source: Eurovoix

Photo: eurovision.tv