Eurovision Used to Be a Campy Joy – But It Has Evolved Into a Cynical Way to Gloss Over Warfare.
A new term emerged several months following the onset of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Known as WCNSF, it signifies “Wounded child, no surviving family”. This term is specific to Gaza, according to health professionals like child health specialists. Normally, it is rare for medical staff to care for a child who has been bereaved of their whole family. Yet, there has been absolutely nothing ordinary concerning the devastating conflict in Gaza, where entire family lineages have been obliterated and the number of young amputees surpasses that of any other region in the world. Nothing ordinary about scores of doctors arriving back from a landscape of rubble with accounts of children being deliberately targeted.
A Hell on Earth In Spite Of a Reported Truce
Gaza remains a profound humanitarian disaster. Vital medicines and equipment are being blocked those in need, and major human rights organizations assert that genocidal acts are ongoing. The Israeli government rejects these accusations, consistent with how it disavows everything it is implicated in. Meanwhile, while traumatised orphans are now freezing in temporary shelters, there is a little heartwarming news: apparently nothing is going to stop the international singing competition from continuing with its professed goal of “unity and artistic sharing.” Eurovision will continue to extend a prestigious stage for Israel, despite the fact that several European countries have now withdrawn in objection. Since this, we are told, is what unity looks like.
Historically, Eurovision excluded Russia from participating in 2022 because of the “grave situation in Ukraine”. Yet the conflict in Gaza seems entirely distinct.
Contradictory Principles
Disregard the reality that Israel was criticized for questionable voting tactics last year in what appears to have been an bid to inject politics into Eurovision. Forget the fact that a young child was allegedly fatally struck in Gaza just days ago. Pay no mind to the evidence that settler violence and systematic expulsions in the West Bank have increased dramatically. Forget the fact that foreign reporters are still blocked from freely reporting in Gaza. All of this, it would seem, should be seen as a barrier of Eurovision’s much-touted ethos of unity.
The Pageant Proceeds While Ignoring Profound Human Cost
Eurovision marks seven decades next year – nearly twice the average life expectancy of a person in Gaza now. The show may go on, but it will find it impossible to reclaim the whimsical pleasure it once represented. An institution that once promoted peace has transformed into a cynical way to sanitize military aggression.
