Nemo, last year's Eurovision winner, said Thursday he was returning the 2024 trophy in protest over Israel's continued participation, which has already prompted five countries to pull out.
"I no longer feel like this trophy belongs on my shelf," the Swiss vocalist said on Instagram.
The Eurovision Song Contest, the world's biggest live televised music event, is put on by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
On December 4, members of the world's largest public service media alliance decided no vote was needed on Israel's inclusion in the glitzy annual extravaganza.
Widespread opposition to the two-year war in Gaza had led to mounting calls for Israel to be excluded.
The public broadcasters in Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland have announced they are boycotting the 70th edition of the song contest, to be held in Vienna in May.
"Eurovision says it stands for unity, for inclusion, and dignity for all people, and these are the values that make this contest so meaningful for me," Nemo said.
"But Israel's continued participation, during what the UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry has concluded to be a genocide, shows there's a clear conflict between those ideals and the decisions the EBU is making.
Iceland's state broadcaster RUV on Wednesday announced it would boycott next year's Eurovision, citing the public debate in the island nation.
"When entire countries withdraw, it should be very clear that something is deeply wrong," said Nemo, 26.
"That's why I decided that I'm sending this 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 become meaningless. I'm waiting for the moment those words and actions align.
"Until then, this trophy is yours."
Some 37 countries took part in the 2025 edition in Basel, Switzerland, won by Austrian operatic singer JJ with "Wasted Love".
Around 35 countries are ultimately expected to participate in Vienna.
rjm/gv
LATEST POSTS
- 1
5 Movies That Leaving an Imprint with Inventive Innovation - 2Trump administration plan to reduce access to some student loans angers nurses, health care groups
- 3Figure out How to Pick the Right Dental specialist for Your Dental Inserts
- 4From Dread to Certainty: Individual Accounts of Strengthening
- 5Manual for Savvy Home Lighting Framework: Lights up Your Space
- Step by step instructions to Lessen Your Gamble of Creating Cellular breakdown in the lungs
- Share your pick for the tree that you love for its novel magnificence!
- Astronomer captures 2 meteors slamming into the moon (video)
- What do teens and tweens want for the holidays? E-bikes, gift cards and lip tints.
- Qatar, Ireland accuse Israel of using chemical weapons on Palestinians, demand watchdog probe use
- Andrew McCarthy's awe-inspiring image of a skydiver in front of the sun
- Research highlights potential dangers of ultra-processed foods for women under 50 regarding precancerous polyps
- Careful Connections: Building Association and Trust
- The Secret Side of Italy: 12 Underrated Destinations Locals Don’t Want Tourists to Find
