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Swiss Eurovision winner returns trophy in protest over Israel’s participation

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Swiss singer Nemo, winner of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, is returning trophy in protest at Israel’s inclusion in next year’s competition, deepening the controversy surrounding the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) refusal to suspend the Apartheid State over its genocide in Gaza

Swiss singer Nemo, winner of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, is returning trophy in protest at Israel’s inclusion in next year’s competition, deepening the controversy surrounding the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) refusal to suspend the Apartheid State over its genocide in Gaza.

In a powerful statement shared on Instagram, Nemo said there was a “clear conflict” between Eurovision’s stated ideals of unity, inclusion and dignity for all, and its decision to allow a state accused of committing atrocities to take part.

“This is not about individuals or artists,” Nemo wrote. “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’. When entire countries withdraw over this contradiction, it should be clear that something is deeply wrong.”

The 26-year-old artist added that they no longer felt the trophy belonged on the shelf, and would send it back to the EBU’s headquarters in Geneva.

Read: Ireland, Spain, Slovenia weigh Eurovision withdrawal if Israel allowed to participate in 2026

Nemo’s protest comes amid growing backlash over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, due to be held in six months. Iceland’s national broadcaster, RÚV, became the latest to join the boycott, following decisions by Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia to withdraw.

Critics have condemned the EBU’s insistence that the contest is “non-political,” accusing the organisation of hypocrisy for allowing Israel to remain while Palestinian civilians endure mass displacement, starvation, and military bombardment. The Union also banned Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Despite growing calls for Israel’s exclusion, the EBU has defended its stance. In a statement, it said:

“We’re saddened that Nemo wishes to return their trophy which they deservedly won in 2024. We respect the deeply held views Nemo has expressed and they will always remain a valued part of the Eurovision family.”

Israel’s public broadcaster Kan welcomed the EBU’s decision to retain Israel in the contest, while Israeli President Isaac Herzog insisted that Israel “deserves to be represented on every stage around the world.”

However, backlash continues to mount across Europe. In the UK, the BBC has yet to confirm its participation, saying only that it supports decisions made at the EBU summit.

As of now, 34 countries are still expected to take part, but that number may change, with some nations yet to confirm their participation.

READ: Despite opposition, Israel cleared to take part in 2026 Eurovision

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Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Vote Labour for Genocide.
Vote Labour for Genocide.
Continue ReadingSwiss Eurovision winner returns trophy in protest over Israel’s participation

BBC backs decision to allow Israel’s participation in 2026 Eurovision amid controversy

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A view of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Headquarters in London, United Kingdom on November 24, 2025. [Zeynep Demir – Anadolu Agency]

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has backed the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) decision allowing Israel to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, even as four European broadcasters announced they will boycott the event, Anadolu reports.

National broadcasters of Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia announced that they will not take part in the 2026 competition after the EBU cleared the way for Israeli broadcaster KAN to participate.

The BBC however said it backs the decision to allow Israel to take part in the contest.

“We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive,” said a BBC spokesperson.

The decision drew criticism from some British lawmakers. Independent lawmaker Adnan Hussain, quoted the BBC’s statement on Israel’s participation in the song contest and said: “Boycott Eurovision for platforming genocide.”

Zarah Sultana, another British lawmaker said “we cannot have ‘business as usual’ with Israel, a genocidal apartheid state.”

READ: Despite opposition, Israel cleared to take part in 2026 Eurovision

“The UK must follow Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia’s lead and boycott Eurovision,” she wrote.

During the EBU General Assembly in Geneva, a majority of members voted to allow the Israeli broadcaster to compete in next year’s contest, scheduled to be held in Vienna, Austria.

Following the vote, Spanish broadcaster RTVE announced that it would not participate in Eurovision 2026, nor broadcast the contest, accusing Israel of using the competition for “political purposes” and alleging political interference.

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS similarly confirmed its withdrawal, stating that Israel’s participation, coupled with the humanitarian situation in Gaza and restrictions on press freedom, conflicted with the organization’s core values, according to a statement.

Ireland’s RTE also declared it would not participate or broadcast the contest, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and targeted attacks on journalists as incompatible with the broadcaster’s principles.

RTV Slovenia will also not participate in the contest, according to Chairwoman Natalija Gorscak. “Our message is: we will not participate in the ESC if Israel is there — on behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza,” she said.

READ: Eurovision winner wants Israel excluded from 2026 contest over Gaza war

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy confirms that UK government and military are active participants in Israel’s genocides and that the F-35 parts that they suspended from supplying to Israel are instead simply diverted via the United States. He says see https://youtu.be/QILgUHrdWRE
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy confirms that UK government and military are active participants in Israel’s genocides and that the F-35 parts that they suspended from supplying to Israel are instead simply diverted via the United States. He says see https://youtu.be/QILgUHrdWRE

Continue ReadingBBC backs decision to allow Israel’s participation in 2026 Eurovision amid controversy