Eurovision Used to Be a Campy Joy – Yet It Has Become a Cynical Way to Whitewash War.
An freshly coined term came to light several months into the intensive bombing of Gaza by Israel. Labeled WCNSF, it signifies “Wounded child, no surviving family”. This acronym is specific to Gaza, according to doctors such as child health specialists. Ordinarily, it is unusual for physicians to attend to a young patient who has lost their whole family. But, there has been no semblance of normality about the devastating conflict in Gaza, where whole bloodlines have been wiped out 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 arriving back from a sea of ruins with reports of children being intentionally shot at.
A Living Nightmare Despite a Announced Cessation of Hostilities
Conditions in Gaza persist as an utter catastrophe. Essential medical supplies are not getting in those in need, and major human rights organizations have stated that genocidal acts are still being committed. Authorities disputes these accusations, consistent with how it denies each claim it is accused of. Yet as young survivors are now freezing in temporary shelters, there is a piece of uplifting information: apparently nothing is going to stop the Eurovision song contest from pursuing its stated mission of “unity and artistic sharing.” Organizers will continue to offer a blood-red carpet for Israel, even though at least four European countries have now pulled out in protest. Since this, we are told, is what international harmony resembles.
Historically, Eurovision excluded Russia from taking part in 2022 due to the “serious conflict in Ukraine”. But the crisis in Gaza appears to be treated differently.
Contradictory Principles
Overlook the circumstance that Israel was criticized for unfair vote practices last year in what appears to have been an attempt to inject politics into Eurovision. Ignore the report that a three-year-old girl was reportedly killed in Gaza just days ago. Pay no mind to the evidence that settler violence and forced displacement in the West Bank have increased dramatically. Forget the fact that foreign reporters are still prevented from independent reporting in Gaza. None of this, evidently, should be seen as a barrier of Eurovision’s cherished spirit of unity.
The Pageant Proceeds Against a Backdrop of Profound Human Cost
Eurovision turns 70 next year – roughly two times the average life expectancy of an individual in Gaza now. The event will proceed, but it will find it impossible to reclaim the whimsical pleasure it was formerly known for. A competition that was originally built on harmony has transformed into a cynical way to whitewash war.
