An freshly coined initialism emerged a couple of months into the military campaign against Gaza. Known as WCNSF, it means “Wounded child, no surviving family”. This term is found only in Gaza, as stated by health professionals such as paediatricians. Ordinarily, it is unusual for medical staff to treat a young patient who has lost their whole family. However, there has been absolutely nothing ordinary about the devastating conflict in Gaza, where whole bloodlines have been eradicated and the number of young amputees exceeds that of any other place in the world. Nothing ordinary in many doctors arriving back from a devastated terrain with reports of children being deliberately targeted.
The Gaza Strip continues to be hell on earth. Essential medical supplies are not getting in those in need, and international watchdogs have stated that atrocities are still being committed. The Israeli government rejects these allegations, just as it denies all charges it is charged with. But while young survivors are now enduring frigid conditions in temporary shelters, there is a little heartwarming news: apparently nothing is going to stop the Eurovision from advancing its professed goal of “togetherness and cultural exchange.” Organizers will continue to offer a welcoming platform for Israel, although a number of European countries have now pulled out in protest. Since this, it seems, is what global togetherness manifests as.
Historically, Eurovision banned Russia from competing in 2022 over the “unprecedented crisis in Ukraine”. However, the situation in Gaza seems completely different.
Overlook the circumstance that Israel was criticized for questionable voting tactics last year in what could be seen as an effort to politicise Eurovision. Forget the fact 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 increased dramatically. Overlook the situation that global media are still prevented from unfettered access in Gaza. This entire context, it would seem, should be permitted to obstruct of Eurovision’s self-proclaimed spirit of unity.
Eurovision marks seven decades next year – almost double the current lifespan of an individual in Gaza today. The show may go on, but it will likely never recapture the whimsical pleasure it was formerly known for. A competition that initially championed togetherness has now become a blatant mechanism to whitewash war.
Elara is a seasoned strategist with over a decade of experience in corporate leadership and military tactics.