Eurovision Was Traditionally a Lighthearted Spectacle – Yet It Has Evolved Into a Calculated Tool to Whitewash War.
An freshly coined initialism emerged a few months after the start of the intensive bombing of Gaza by Israel. Known as WCNSF, it means “Wounded child, no surviving family”. This designation is specific to Gaza, as stated by medical experts including paediatricians. Normally, it is unusual for doctors to treat a child who has been bereaved of their whole family. But, there has been no semblance of normality regarding the widespread destruction in Gaza, where entire family lineages have been eradicated and the number of young amputees is greater than that of any other place in the world. No sense of normalcy about scores of doctors returning from a sea of ruins with accounts of children being deliberately targeted.
A Living Nightmare Regardless of a Reported Truce
Gaza remains an utter catastrophe. Critical healthcare resources are being blocked those in need, and international watchdogs assert that genocidal acts are ongoing. The Israeli government has denied these claims, just as it refutes all charges it is charged with. Meanwhile, while grieving children who lost parents are now suffering from the cold in improvised encampments, there is a piece of uplifting information: apparently nothing is going to stop the Eurovision song contest from continuing with its declared purpose of “unity and artistic sharing.” Eurovision will continue to extend a blood-red carpet for Israel, even though at least four European countries have now withdrawn in objection. And this, we are told, is what unity looks like.
Historically, Eurovision banned Russia from competing in 2022 because of the “unprecedented crisis in Ukraine”. However, the situation in Gaza is completely different.
Contradictory Principles
Disregard the reality that Israel was accused of questionable voting tactics last year in what could be seen as an effort to inject politics into Eurovision. Ignore the report that a three-year-old girl was reportedly killed in Gaza just days ago. Forget the fact that settler violence and coerced removal in the West Bank have escalated. Forget the fact that foreign reporters are still blocked from unfettered access in Gaza. None of this, evidently, should be allowed to get in the way of Eurovision’s cherished spirit of unity.
The Contest Continues While Ignoring Profound Human Cost
Eurovision reaches its seventieth anniversary next year – nearly twice the average life expectancy of an individual in Gaza at present. The event will proceed, but it will never be able to restore the whimsical pleasure it was formerly known for. A contest that was originally built on peace has now become a transparent instrument to whitewash war.
