Eurovision Was Once a Lighthearted Spectacle – But It Has Become a Strategic Method to Sanitize Conflict.

A freshly coined acronym emerged a few months into the intensive bombing of Gaza by Israel. Labeled WCNSF, it stands for “Injured child with no living relatives”. This term is specific to Gaza, as stated by doctors like child health specialists. Ordinarily, it is unusual for doctors to attend to a child who has seen the death of their entire family. Yet, there has been no semblance of normality about the genocide in Gaza, where whole bloodlines have been eradicated and the number of young amputees surpasses that of any other region in the world. Nothing ordinary in numerous doctors arriving back from a sea of ruins with accounts of children being systematically aimed at.

A Hell on Earth Despite a Announced Cessation of Hostilities

The Gaza Strip continues to be hell on earth. Vital medicines and equipment are not getting in those in need, and major human rights organizations have stated that atrocities are ongoing. The Israeli government has denied these claims, consistent with how it disavows all charges it is implicated in. Meanwhile, while grieving children who lost parents are now freezing in temporary shelters, there is a little heartwarming news: nothing is going to stop the Eurovision song contest from advancing its declared purpose of “unity and cultural exchange.” Eurovision will continue to offer a welcoming platform for Israel, although several European countries have now withdrawn in objection. Because this, it seems, is what global togetherness manifests as.

The contest, notably prohibited Russia from competing in 2022 due to the “serious conflict in Ukraine”. Yet the conflict in Gaza appears to be treated differently.

Contradictory Principles

Forget the fact that Israel was criticized for questionable voting tactics last year in what appears to have been an effort to politicise Eurovision. Set aside the news that a young child was reportedly killed in Gaza on a recent Sunday. Forget the fact that settler violence and coerced removal in the West Bank have surged. Disregard the condition that international journalists are still blocked from independent reporting in Gaza. This entire context, evidently, should be allowed to get in the way of Eurovision’s much-touted ethos of unity.

The Contest Continues While Ignoring Unimaginable Suffering

Eurovision turns 70 next year – almost double the current lifespan of a person in Gaza now. The show may go on, but it will find it impossible to reclaim the pure, unadulterated fun it was formerly known for. An institution that was originally built on peace has now become a transparent instrument to whitewash war.