An recent acronym surfaced several months into the intensive bombing of Gaza by Israel. Known as WCNSF, it stands for “Wounded child, no surviving family”. This designation is specific to Gaza, as stated by doctors including child health specialists. Ordinarily, it is unusual for medical staff to treat a young patient who has been bereaved of their entire family. However, there has been nothing “normal” regarding the devastating conflict in Gaza, where entire family lineages have been eradicated and the number of child amputees surpasses that of anywhere else in the world. No sense of normalcy about numerous doctors arriving back from a devastated terrain with testimonies of children being systematically aimed at.
Gaza remains hell on earth. Essential medical supplies are failing to reach those in need, and groups like Amnesty International contend that genocidal acts are still being committed. Officials has denied these accusations, just as it denies everything it is charged with. Yet as young survivors are now enduring frigid conditions in improvised encampments, there is a piece of uplifting information: apparently nothing is going to stop the international singing competition from pursuing its declared purpose of “togetherness and artistic sharing.” The contest will continue to offer a welcoming platform for Israel, even though several European countries have now pulled out in protest. Since this, apparently, is what global togetherness resembles.
The contest, notably excluded Russia from participating in 2022 over the “unprecedented crisis in Ukraine”. However, the situation in Gaza seems entirely distinct.
Forget the fact that Israel was criticized for unfair vote practices last year in what could be seen as an bid to manipulate Eurovision. Set aside the news that a toddler was allegedly fatally struck in Gaza on a recent Sunday. Neglect the data that aggression from Israeli settlers and forced displacement in the West Bank have escalated. Disregard the condition that foreign reporters are still denied independent reporting in Gaza. None of this, evidently, should be permitted to obstruct of Eurovision’s much-touted ethos of unity.
The contest turns 70 next year – almost double the current lifespan of someone in Gaza today. The event will proceed, but it will never be able to restore the pure, unadulterated fun it was formerly known for. A contest that was originally built on togetherness has transformed into a transparent instrument to provide a cultural veneer for conflict.
A seasoned software engineer with a passion for open-source projects and tech education.
