Eurovision Was Traditionally a Lighthearted Spectacle – But It Has Become a Calculated Tool to Sanitize Conflict.

A new term emerged several months into Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Labeled WCNSF, it stands for “Injured child with no living relatives”. This designation is unique to Gaza, according to medical experts like paediatricians. Typically, it is rare for physicians to care for a young patient who has been bereaved of their whole family. But, there has been absolutely nothing ordinary about the widespread destruction in Gaza, where entire family lineages have been wiped out and the number of child amputees exceeds that of any other region in the world. No sense of normalcy about many doctors arriving back from a landscape of rubble with reports of children being intentionally shot at.

A Hell on Earth Regardless of a Reported Truce

Conditions in Gaza persist as an utter catastrophe. Vital medicines and equipment are being blocked those in need, and major human rights organizations contend that atrocities are still being committed. Authorities has denied these allegations, consistent with how it refutes each claim it is implicated in. But while traumatised orphans are now enduring frigid conditions in temporary shelters, there is a little heartwarming news: apparently nothing is going to stop the Eurovision song contest from advancing its stated mission of “unity and artistic sharing.” Organizers will continue to roll out a welcoming platform for Israel, despite the fact that several European countries have now pulled out in protest. Since this, we are told, is what international harmony looks like.

Eurovision, of course banned Russia from taking part in 2022 because of the “serious conflict in Ukraine”. Yet the conflict in Gaza seems entirely distinct.

Contradictory Principles

Forget the fact that Israel was criticized for irregular participation methods last year in what seems to have been an bid to manipulate Eurovision. Set aside the news that a young child was allegedly fatally struck in Gaza just days ago. Forget the fact that aggression from Israeli settlers and systematic expulsions in the West Bank have escalated. Forget the fact that international journalists are still prevented from freely reporting in Gaza. This entire context, it would seem, should be allowed to get in the way of Eurovision’s self-proclaimed spirit of unity.

The Pageant Proceeds While Ignoring Staggering Tragedy

Eurovision marks seven decades next year – almost double the average life expectancy of a person in Gaza today. The event will proceed, but it will likely never recapture the camp joy it was formerly known for. A contest that initially championed peace has now become a blatant mechanism to sanitize military aggression.