The reigning Eurovision Song Contest champion has announced they are relinquishing their title trophy. The move is a direct protest against the decision by contest organizers to allow Israel to participate in the 2026 event.
The artist, who made history last year as the competition’s first non-binary winner, stated that the choice to include Israel stands in stark opposition to the contest’s stated values of unity and inclusion. In a public statement, the winner expressed profound gratitude for the Eurovision experience but declared the trophy no longer felt right to keep, citing a fundamental moral conflict.
This act of protest intensifies an ongoing crisis for next year’s competition, which is already facing a formal boycott by five European nations. Those countries withdrew in protest over the war in Gaza and the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) subsequent refusal to exclude Israel. The national broadcasters of Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and, most recently, Iceland, have all confirmed they will not take part.
The winner’s statement emphasized that the protest is not aimed at individual artists but at what they describe as the contest being used to legitimize a state accused of severe actions, all while the EBU maintains Eurovision is non-political. The trophy is being sent back to the EBU’s headquarters.
In response, the EBU stated it was saddened by the decision but respected the winner’s deeply held views, affirming they remain a valued part of the Eurovision community. Meanwhile, Israeli officials have welcomed the EBU’s stance, arguing the country deserves a place on the global stage.
With approximately six months until the event, the participation list remains in flux, with several key nations yet to confirm their final decision, casting a shadow over the planning of the 2026 contest.