Eurovision Was Traditionally a Lighthearted Spectacle – Yet It Has Become a Cynical Way to Gloss Over Warfare.

An freshly coined term came to light a couple of months into Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Known as WCNSF, it signifies “Child casualty without any family left”. This designation is specific to Gaza, as stated by doctors like child health specialists. Typically, it is unusual for medical staff to care for a child who has seen the death of their entire family. Yet, there has been absolutely nothing ordinary about the widespread destruction in Gaza, where complete genealogies have been wiped out and the number of young amputees surpasses that of any other region in the world. Nothing ordinary about many doctors coming back from a sea of ruins with accounts of children being deliberately targeted.

A Living Nightmare Despite a Announced Cessation of Hostilities

Conditions in Gaza persist as hell on earth. Essential medical supplies are not getting in those in need, and groups like Amnesty International have stated that genocidal acts are ongoing. Officials has denied these claims, consistent with how it denies everything it is accused of. But while grieving children who lost parents are now enduring frigid conditions in improvised encampments, there is a piece of uplifting information: nothing is going to stop the international singing competition from advancing its stated mission of “togetherness and cultural exchange.” The contest will continue to extend a blood-red carpet for Israel, even though at least four European countries have now boycotted in dissent. And this, we are told, is what global togetherness manifests as.

The contest, notably excluded Russia from taking part in 2022 because of the “grave situation in Ukraine”. However, the situation in Gaza seems entirely distinct.

A Double Standard

Disregard the reality that Israel was accused of unfair vote practices last year in what could be seen as an bid to politicise Eurovision. Set aside the news that a young child was allegedly fatally struck in Gaza recently. Forget the fact that attacks by settlers and coerced removal in the West Bank have escalated. Disregard the condition that international journalists are still prevented from unfettered access in Gaza. None of this, evidently, should be allowed to get in the way of Eurovision’s self-proclaimed spirit of unity.

The Contest Continues Against a Backdrop of Profound Human Cost

The contest marks seven decades next year – roughly two times the current lifespan of someone in Gaza now. The event will proceed, but it will likely never recapture the whimsical pleasure it was formerly known for. A contest that was originally built on harmony has devolved into a transparent instrument to sanitize military aggression.