Switzerland wins Eurovision, as Israel-Gaza war casts shadow over contest
- Swiss rapper Nemo was victorious with ‘The Code’, while second place went to Croatia’s Baby Lasagna
- Israel’s Eden Golan finished fifth in the contest despite demonstrators’ calls for a boycott of the country
Switzerland on Saturday won the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Swedish host city Malmo, beating runner-up Croatia, after having been among bookmakers’ top-three to win the competition.
Billed as a feel-good celebration of European diversity, this year’s contest has been thrust into the political spotlight with calls for Israel to be excluded over its military campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ deadly attack on October 7 in Israel.
Swiss rapper and singer Nemo, 24, won the contest with The Code, a drum-and-bass, opera, rap and rock song, about Nemo’s journey of self-discovery as a non-binary person.
“I hope this contest can live up to its promise and continue to stand for peace and dignity for every person in this world,” Nemo said, after receiving the Eurovision trophy on stage.
Croatia’s Baby Lasagna, real name Marko Purisic, 28, came second with Rim Tim Tagi Dim, a song about a young man who leaves home aspiring to become a “city boy” with better opportunities.
Israel’s Eden Golan, 20, finished fifth in the contest despite demonstrators’ calls for a boycott of the country.
