Ireland’s Eurovision winner plans to return trophy in protest of Israel’s participation

Ireland's 1994 Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan has said he plans to return his trophy in protest of Israel’s continued participation in the competition.

He joins last year's winner Nemo, who announced they were returning the 2024 trophy in protest over Israel's continued participation.

McGettigan, who won the contest with fellow Irish singer Paul Harrington with the song 'Rock 'n' Roll Kids', said he will send the trophy to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision.

He said Nemo had contacted him online to explain their decision to return the 2024 trophy.

“They came across as sincere and a very intelligent person and stated their case really well, and therefore in support of Nemo, I would like to return my trophy to the EBU as well," said McGettigan. "Unfortunately, our win was way back in 1994 and I can’t lay my hands on whatever trophy we received back then, but if I do find it, I will return my trophy as well."

Nemo previously said in a statement posted to Instagram: "Eurovision says it stands for unity, inclusion, and dignity for all. Those values made this contest meaningful to me. But Israel's continued participation, during what the UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry has concluded to be a genocide, shows a clear conflict between those ideals and the decisions made by the EBU."

Nemo added that "when entire countries withdraw", "it should be clear that something is deeply wrong".

The move to return the trophy comes amid widespread controversy surrounding Israel’s inclusion in Eurovision, as it was confirmed last week that the country would remain in next year’s competition.

The broadcasters of five countries - Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland - announced they would withdraw from the 2026 contest, to be held in Vienna in May.

In addition, many past participants have expressed their view that Israel should not be allowed to continue to compete, and critics have pointed to the swift 2022 expulsion of Russia as evidence of a glaring double standard when it comes to keeping Israel on the 2026 line-up.

The EBU continues to face the largest boycott in the contest's history and it remains to be seen if other broadcasters will pull out before the official line-up for next year’s competition is announced later this month.