Eurovision Was Once a Whimsical Delight – Yet It Has Transformed Into a Strategic Method to Gloss Over Warfare.

A freshly coined term emerged a few months into the intensive bombing of Gaza by Israel. Known as WCNSF, it means “Wounded child, no surviving family”. This designation is unique to Gaza, per insights from doctors such as paediatricians. Normally, it is rare for doctors to attend to a child who has been bereaved of their entire family. Yet, there has been absolutely nothing ordinary concerning the widespread destruction in Gaza, where whole bloodlines have been eradicated and the number of child amputees surpasses that of any other region in the world. Nothing normal about scores of doctors returning from a sea of ruins with accounts of children being intentionally shot at.

A Hell on Earth In Spite Of a Reported Truce

The Gaza Strip continues to be a profound humanitarian disaster. Vital medicines and equipment are being blocked those in need, and international watchdogs have stated that violations are continuing. The Israeli government disputes these allegations, consistent with how it disavows all charges it is implicated in. But while young survivors are now enduring frigid conditions in temporary shelters, there is a piece of uplifting information: apparently nothing is going to stop the Eurovision song contest from advancing its stated mission of “togetherness and cultural exchange.” The contest will continue to roll out a prestigious stage for Israel, despite the fact that at least four European countries have now withdrawn in objection. And this, it seems, is what global togetherness manifests as.

The contest, notably excluded Russia from competing in 2022 because of the “grave situation in Ukraine”. Yet the conflict in Gaza seems treated differently.

Contradictory Principles

Forget the fact that Israel was accused of unfair vote practices last year in what seems to have been an effort to politicise Eurovision. Forget the fact that a three-year-old girl was reportedly killed in Gaza just days ago. Neglect the data that aggression from Israeli settlers and systematic expulsions in the West Bank have increased dramatically. Disregard the condition that global media are still blocked from unfettered access in Gaza. None of this, evidently, should be permitted to obstruct of Eurovision’s much-touted ethos of unity.

The Contest Continues While Ignoring Staggering Tragedy

The contest marks seven decades next year – nearly twice the current lifespan of someone in Gaza now. The broadcast will air, but it will likely never recapture the pure, unadulterated fun it was formerly known for. A contest that initially championed peace has devolved into a cynical way to sanitize military aggression.