Eurovision Used to Be a Lighthearted Spectacle – Yet It Has Transformed Into a Cynical Way to Whitewash War.
An new term emerged several months after the start of the military campaign against Gaza. Labeled WCNSF, it stands for “Child casualty without any family left”. This acronym is unique to Gaza, as stated by doctors such as child health specialists. Ordinarily, it is rare for doctors to attend to a young patient who has seen the death of their complete family. But, there has been nothing “normal” about the widespread destruction in Gaza, where whole bloodlines have been obliterated and the number of children who have lost limbs is greater than that of anywhere else in the world. Nothing ordinary about numerous doctors arriving back from a devastated terrain with reports of children being deliberately targeted.
A Living Nightmare Despite a Announced Cessation of Hostilities
The Gaza Strip continues to be hell on earth. Essential medical supplies are being blocked those in need, and groups like Amnesty International have stated that violations are ongoing. The Israeli government disputes these claims, consistent with how it denies everything it is charged with. Yet as young survivors are now freezing 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 “togetherness and artistic sharing.” Eurovision will continue to offer a blood-red carpet for Israel, even though several European countries have now pulled out in protest. And this, apparently, is what global togetherness manifests as.
The contest, notably excluded Russia from taking part in 2022 because of the “serious conflict in Ukraine”. However, the situation in Gaza is entirely distinct.
A Double Standard
Overlook the circumstance that Israel was alleged to have used unfair vote practices last year in what seems to have been an bid to inject politics into Eurovision. Ignore the report that a young child was allegedly fatally struck in Gaza recently. Forget the fact that settler violence and forced displacement in the West Bank have escalated. Overlook the situation that international journalists are still denied freely reporting in Gaza. All of this, apparently, should be permitted to obstruct of Eurovision’s much-touted ethos of unity.
The Show Goes On Against a Backdrop of Staggering Tragedy
The contest marks seven decades next year – roughly two times the projected longevity of a person in Gaza today. The event will proceed, but it will never be able to restore the camp joy it was formerly known for. A contest that was originally built on peace has devolved into a blatant mechanism to whitewash war.
