This study seeks to examine the role of Israeli media discourse in the war
on Gaza (2023-2024), along with its political and ideological objectives. It
addresses the following complex question: What are the trends in Israeli
media discourse regarding the war on Gaza, and how does it frame the events
and their developments? What methods has this discourse used to promote
the Israeli narrative and influence both the local (Israeli) audience and global
public opinion? The war initiated by Israel against Gaza on 7 October 2023,
is considered a significant event in the evolution of the Palestinian cause
since the occupation of Palestine in 1948. Correspondingly, the Israeli media
discourse has been exceptional in its verbal structure and function, extending
beyond mere news reporting. This discourse has played a pivotal role in the
war and its developments, becoming a crucial component of the military
effort to achieve the war’s strategic objectives. The study employs critical
discourse analysis to examine a purposive sample of media content from the
Jerusalem Post and Times of Israel, covering the period from 8 October 2023
to 8 May 2024. The findings indicate that Israeli media has utilised ideological
and historical rhetoric, promoting the narrative that frames the war as “selfdefence
against Palestinian terrorism” while advocating for the killing
and extermination of Palestinians. The media has also employed selective
reporting to support this narrative, adopted a justificatory perspective for
the war and the genocide faced by Palestinians, and utilised exaggeration,
evasion, psychological propaganda and avoidance of responsibility in its
discourse about the war on Gaza.
Keywords: Israeli Media Discourse, War on Gaza, Genocide, Palestinian
Resistance, Hamas.

Title

مجلة الجزيرة لدراسات الاتصال والإعلام

Publisher

مركز الجزيرة للدراسات

Publisher Country

Qatar

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

--

Year

2025

Pages

141-173