Eurovision Winner Returns Trophy in Protest of Israel’s Participation

Swiss pop artist and rapper Nimmo, who recently took home the Eurovision Song Contest trophy, announced on Thursday he plans to return it in protest over Israel’s ongoing participation. This decision comes amid ongoing tensions related to the Hamas conflict.

Dubbed the biggest live music event globally, the Eurovision Song Contest attracts millions of viewers each year. Since 1973, Israel has competed, despite not being a European country, and has claimed the trophy four times. Other non-European nations, such as Azerbaijan and Australia, have also been welcomed into the competition.

In light of the Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, anti-Israel activists have intensified calls for Israel’s disqualification from the contest. They argue that the situation parallels the expulsion of Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Notably, in recent elections, Israel gained significant public support, which has led to accusations of “cheating” by anti-Israel groups who are now mobilizing votes across Europe.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has consistently denied requests to expel Israel, reaffirming this stance in recent meetings. Five countries—Spain, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia—have opted out of the contest in protest. Others, including Austria, hinted at withdrawing should Israel be expelled. Plans for a vote on Israel’s status were abandoned after the signing of a peace agreement mediated by the U.S.

Nimmo, in a video released Thursday, joined with others critical of Israel to express that the contest’s values of “unity and dignity for all” are compromised by Israel’s participation. He conveyed a willingness to keep the trophy as long as Eurovision aligns with these values, but didn’t clearly stipulate that Israel’s exit was necessary for its return.

“I appreciate the community and lessons this experience has provided, but right now, I don’t feel this trophy belongs on my shelf,” Nimmo said.

He explained further that while Eurovision promotes unity, Israel’s ongoing participation contrasts sharply with the UN’s findings regarding genocide, highlighting a disconnect between stated ideals and EBU decisions.

Alluding to recent events, he emphasized that if the values celebrated during the competition aren’t upheld outside of it, then, irrespective of artistic merit, the entire endeavor loses significance. His intention in returning the trophy to EBU headquarters in Geneva is both a personal gesture and a broader message.

This year’s Eurovision, hosted in Malmö, Sweden, faced considerable political strife and allegations of anti-Semitism. The event attracted pro-Hamas protests, posing security threats to Israeli singer Eden Golan. Nimmo was part of a group of performers who exhibited open hostility towards Israel during the competition.

Nimmo’s winning performance, a rap opera titled “The Code,” addressed themes of non-binary identity. Nevertheless, controversy followed after the trophy was damaged shortly after his win.

The next Eurovision in Switzerland similarly witnessed anti-Israel sentiment. Yet participants were less aggressive towards Israeli singer Yuval Rafael, a survivor of a tragic event earlier in October. Surrounding protests highlighted the tension, with one protester making threatening gestures towards Rafael.

Despite potential hazards, Rafael achieved second place in the contest, winning the popular vote, while Austrian singer JJ took home the overall win.

The significant backlash against Israel’s strong performance during Eurovision led to widespread outrage online, even resulting in the festival’s Reddit page being shut down temporarily. Amid threats from several nations to withdraw, the EBU had to consider a vote on Israel’s future participation. This vote was ultimately canceled once the peace agreement was signed, but discussions regarding Israel’s status persisted in upcoming meetings.

Martin Green of the EBU acknowledged the discomfort surrounding the organization’s decisions, emphasizing that the contest must remain apolitical to foster unity. For future events, he pledges adherence to competition rules as a prerequisite for participation, asserting a zero-tolerance approach towards any other direction.