Eurovision Was Traditionally a Whimsical Delight – But It Has Become a Calculated Tool to Sanitize Conflict.
A freshly coined initialism came to light several months into the intensive bombing of Gaza by Israel. Known as WCNSF, it signifies “Wounded child, no surviving family”. This term is found only in Gaza, per insights from medical experts like child health specialists. Ordinarily, it is rare for physicians to treat a child who has seen the death of their entire family. But, there has been nothing “normal” regarding the devastating conflict in Gaza, where entire family lineages have been obliterated and the number of young amputees is greater than that of any other region in the world. Nothing ordinary about scores of doctors arriving back from a sea of ruins with reports of children being systematically aimed at.
An Unimaginable Crisis Despite a Reported Truce
The Gaza Strip continues to be hell on earth. Vital medicines and equipment are not getting in those in need, and major human rights organizations contend that violations are still being committed. Authorities has denied these allegations, consistent with how it denies all charges it is accused of. But while grieving children who lost parents are now suffering from the cold in makeshift tent camps, there is a little heartwarming news: nothing is going to stop the Eurovision from advancing its professed goal of “unity and artistic sharing.” Eurovision will continue to extend a prestigious stage for Israel, even though at least four European countries have now boycotted in dissent. Because this, it seems, is what global togetherness looks like.
Historically, Eurovision excluded Russia from participating in 2022 because of the “serious conflict in Ukraine”. Yet the conflict in Gaza is completely different.
Contradictory Principles
Forget the fact that Israel was criticized for unfair vote practices last year in what appears to have been an attempt to politicise Eurovision. Set aside the news that a three-year-old girl was reportedly killed in Gaza recently. Forget the fact that attacks by settlers and coerced removal in the West Bank have surged. Overlook the situation that foreign reporters are still blocked from freely reporting in Gaza. This entire context, apparently, should be allowed to get in the way of Eurovision’s cherished spirit of unity.
The Pageant Proceeds Against a Backdrop of Profound Human Cost
The contest turns 70 next year – almost double the projected longevity of someone in Gaza at present. The show may go on, but it will never be able to restore the camp joy it once represented. A contest that once promoted togetherness has now become a cynical way to sanitize military aggression.
