Eurovision Was Traditionally a Campy Joy – Yet It Has Become a Cynical Way to Whitewash War.
An recent term emerged a few months into Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Known as WCNSF, it stands for “Injured child with no living relatives”. This designation is specific to Gaza, per insights from medical experts such as child health specialists. Ordinarily, it is unusual for doctors to attend to a young patient who has seen the death of their entire family. But, there has been nothing “normal” about the widespread destruction in Gaza, where whole bloodlines have been wiped out and the number of child amputees surpasses that of any other place in the world. No sense of normalcy in many doctors arriving back from a sea of ruins with reports of children being intentionally shot at.
An Unimaginable Crisis Despite a Announced Cessation of Hostilities
Gaza remains hell on earth. Essential medical supplies are failing to reach those in need, and groups like Amnesty International assert that violations are continuing. The Israeli government has denied these claims, consistent with how it disavows everything it is accused of. Meanwhile, while young survivors are now freezing in improvised encampments, there is a little heartwarming news: apparently nothing is going to stop the Eurovision song contest from continuing with its stated mission of “togetherness and artistic sharing.” The contest will continue to roll out a prestigious stage for Israel, even though several European countries have now boycotted in dissent. Since this, it seems, is what global togetherness looks like.
Eurovision, of course prohibited Russia from participating in 2022 due to the “unprecedented crisis in Ukraine”. However, the situation in Gaza is completely different.
A Selective Vision
Overlook the circumstance that Israel was criticized for questionable voting tactics last year in what could be seen as an attempt to manipulate Eurovision. Ignore the report that a three-year-old girl was allegedly fatally struck in Gaza recently. Forget the fact that attacks by settlers and systematic expulsions in the West Bank have escalated. Disregard the condition that foreign reporters are still blocked from freely reporting in Gaza. This entire context, evidently, should be seen as a barrier of Eurovision’s cherished spirit of unity.
The Pageant Proceeds Amidst Unimaginable Suffering
Eurovision marks seven decades next year – nearly twice the projected longevity of an individual in Gaza at present. The broadcast will air, but it will never be able to restore the whimsical pleasure it historically embodied. A contest that once promoted harmony has devolved into a cynical way to sanitize military aggression.
