A new initialism surfaced a few months into Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Referred to as WCNSF, it stands for “Injured child with no living relatives”. This term is unique to Gaza, as stated by doctors such as paediatricians. Normally, it is rare for physicians to attend to a minor who has lost their complete family. Yet, there has been no semblance of normality about the widespread destruction in Gaza, where entire family lineages have been eradicated and the number of child amputees exceeds that of any other place in the world. Nothing normal about numerous doctors arriving back from a devastated terrain with testimonies of children being systematically aimed at.
The Gaza Strip continues to be hell on earth. Critical healthcare resources are being blocked those in need, and international watchdogs contend that violations are still being committed. Authorities disputes these claims, consistent with how it disavows everything it is charged with. But while grieving children who lost parents are now freezing in makeshift tent camps, there is a little heartwarming news: nothing is going to stop the Eurovision from continuing with its professed goal of “unity and cultural exchange.” The contest will continue to offer a blood-red carpet for Israel, despite the fact that several European countries have now withdrawn in objection. And this, we are told, is what unity resembles.
The contest, notably excluded Russia from taking part in 2022 due to the “serious conflict in Ukraine”. However, the situation in Gaza seems entirely distinct.
Disregard the reality that Israel was alleged to have used questionable voting tactics last year in what appears to have been an effort to politicise Eurovision. Ignore the report that a young child was allegedly fatally struck in Gaza recently. Pay no mind to the evidence that attacks by settlers and systematic expulsions in the West Bank have increased dramatically. Disregard the condition that global media are still denied freely reporting in Gaza. None of this, evidently, should be allowed to get in the way of Eurovision’s cherished spirit of unity.
Eurovision turns 70 next year – nearly twice the projected longevity of an individual in Gaza today. The event will proceed, but it will never be able to restore the camp joy it was formerly known for. An institution that initially championed togetherness has now become a cynical way to provide a cultural veneer for conflict.
