Eurovision Was Traditionally a Campy Joy – Yet It Has Become a Cynical Way to Gloss Over Warfare.
An new term emerged several months into Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Referred to as WCNSF, it means “Wounded child, no surviving family”. This designation is found only in Gaza, per insights from medical experts like child health specialists. Typically, it is rare for doctors to treat a minor who has seen the death of their entire family. But, there has been nothing “normal” about the genocide in Gaza, where complete genealogies have been obliterated and the number of child amputees exceeds that of any other region in the world. Nothing ordinary about many doctors returning from a sea of ruins with testimonies of children being deliberately targeted.
A Living Nightmare Despite a Reported Truce
Conditions in Gaza persist as hell on earth. Vital medicines and equipment are failing to reach those in need, and major human rights organizations have stated that atrocities are still being committed. The Israeli government disputes these allegations, just as it refutes each claim it is accused of. Yet as young survivors are now enduring frigid conditions in temporary shelters, there is some ostensibly positive news: apparently nothing is going to stop the Eurovision song contest from continuing with its professed goal of “unity and artistic sharing.” Organizers will continue to roll out a blood-red carpet for Israel, although several European countries have now withdrawn in objection. And this, apparently, is what unity manifests as.
Eurovision, of course excluded Russia from participating in 2022 because of the “grave situation in Ukraine”. However, the situation in Gaza appears to be entirely distinct.
A Selective Vision
Disregard the reality that Israel was alleged to have used unfair vote practices last year in what seems to have been an bid to politicise Eurovision. Set aside the news that a young child was reportedly killed in Gaza just days ago. Forget the fact that attacks by settlers and forced displacement in the West Bank have increased dramatically. Forget the fact that international journalists are still prevented from unfettered access in Gaza. This entire context, it would seem, should be seen as a barrier of Eurovision’s self-proclaimed spirit of unity.
The Show Goes On Against a Backdrop of Profound Human Cost
The contest turns 70 next year – nearly twice the average life expectancy of a person in Gaza today. The event will proceed, but it will find it impossible to reclaim the pure, unadulterated fun it once represented. A competition that once promoted harmony has transformed into a transparent instrument to whitewash war.
