Eurovision Was Once a Lighthearted Spectacle – However It Has Become a Calculated Tool to Gloss Over Warfare.

A recent term came to light a couple of months following the onset of the intensive bombing of Gaza by Israel. Labeled WCNSF, it stands for “Wounded child, no surviving family”. This term is found only in Gaza, according to doctors like child health specialists. Ordinarily, it is uncommon for doctors to attend to a minor who has lost their whole family. Yet, there has been absolutely nothing ordinary concerning the widespread destruction in Gaza, where entire family lineages have been eradicated and the number of children who have lost limbs is greater than that of anywhere else in the world. No sense of normalcy about scores of doctors returning from a sea of ruins with reports of children being systematically aimed at.

A Hell on Earth In Spite Of a Supposed Ceasefire

The Gaza Strip continues to be a profound humanitarian disaster. Essential medical supplies are failing to reach those in need, and major human rights organizations assert that genocidal acts are still being committed. The Israeli government rejects these allegations, consistent with how it denies all charges it is accused of. But while traumatised orphans are now enduring frigid conditions in improvised encampments, there is some ostensibly positive news: nothing is going to stop the international singing competition from continuing with its professed goal of “togetherness and cultural exchange.” Organizers will continue to roll out a welcoming platform for Israel, despite the fact that a number of European countries have now withdrawn in objection. Since this, it seems, is what global togetherness resembles.

The contest, notably excluded Russia from participating in 2022 because of the “grave situation in Ukraine”. But the crisis in Gaza seems completely different.

A Selective Vision

Disregard the reality that Israel was alleged to have used questionable voting tactics last year in what could be seen as an bid to manipulate Eurovision. Ignore the report that a three-year-old girl was reportedly killed in Gaza just days ago. Forget the fact that attacks by settlers and systematic expulsions in the West Bank have escalated. Overlook the situation that international journalists are still blocked from freely reporting in Gaza. All of this, evidently, should be permitted to obstruct of Eurovision’s cherished spirit of unity.

The Contest Continues Amidst Staggering Tragedy

The contest turns 70 next year – almost double the current lifespan of a person in Gaza today. The show may go on, but it will find it impossible to reclaim the whimsical pleasure it historically embodied. A contest that initially championed peace has transformed into a cynical way to sanitize military aggression.