Eurovision winner Nemo has announced they will return their 2025 trophy in protest against Israel’s continued participation in the song contest. The 26-year-old Swiss artist said Israel’s inclusion is in “clear conflict” with the values of “unity, inclusion and dignity” that Eurovision claims to uphold. Nemo became the first non-binary performer to win Eurovision with their song 'The Code.'
The move comes as five countries (Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands) have said they will boycott next year’s competition over Israel’s presence. Tensions around Israel’s participation arose in response to the war in Gaza and disputes over this year’s voting process.
The Eurovision Song Contest is intended to be apolitical, but Europe's relations are often exposed on the Eurovision stage. Allied countries tend to vote for each other, rival countries give the cold shoulder, and some subliminal messages always seem to slip into someone's lyrics.
With the controversy surrounding Israel's participation, it's the perfect time to revisit Eurovision's most memorable (and controversial) moments over the years. Click on for the most notorious drama Eurovision has served up decade after decade.