This important volume tackles the discourse of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from an interdisciplinary perspective with a focus on language and communication, constituting a novel approach in the literature on the topic. By drawing on methods from linguistics, media studies, digital culture, journalism, and literature, it explores new pathways for analysing how narratives are constructed, contested, and disseminated across multiple platforms and contexts. Offering a contemporary, interdisciplinary approach rooted in critical discourse analysis, digital activism, and cultural symbolism, the book represents an important evolution in the field by extending traditional conflict analysis into the digital age, highlighting how social media, memes, hashtags, and global digital networks shape public perception and activism around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.Part One examines linguistic and literary constructions reflected in embodied resistance (of and in solidarity with the Palestinians) through cultural symbols and artefacts. Part Two comprises critical evaluations of how journalism and film mediate the conflict, and Part Three critiques the impact of social media and hashtag activism in the conflict. The final part considers three concepts that have dominated the debate in the latest conflict – colonialism, genocide and antisemitism.This multi-disciplinary approach to discourse analysis in the study of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict not only examines the linguistic landscapes of protest but also serves researchers, students, and practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of how language shapes perceptions of conflict, resistance, victimhood, and power.
Innocent E. Chiluwa is a visiting Professor at the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies, Heriot-Watt University, UK. Monika Tosik is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Pragmatics, Faculty of Philology, University of Lodz, Poland.
PrefaceForewordHelmut Gruber, University of Vienna, Austria1. Introduction: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Many Voices, Contested NarrativesInnocent Chiluwa & Monika Tosik, Heriot-Watt University, UK & University of Lodz, PolandPart I: Discourse, Resistance & Solidarity2. Contending Settler Narratives on Israel/Palestine Ferit Belder,University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Marmara University, Turkey3. Neapolitan Streets, Global Struggles: The Linguistic Landscape of Palestinian Solidarity. Arianna Grasso, University of Naples L’Orientale, Italy4. Rooted Resilience: Food and Olive Trees in Embodied Palestinian Struggle. Leena Atout, University of Nevada, USA5. Metaphors as Ideological Constructs: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict in Memes. Ifeoluwa Awopetu, University of Memphis, USA Part II: Discourses of Genocide & Antisemitism6. The Rhetoric of Denial: Discursive Techniques in the Justification of Violence in Gaza.Omar McDoom, London School of Economics, UK7. The Evolution of Genocide Discourse in Israeli Society Tamir Sorek, Penn State University, USA8. Discursive Constructions of Antisemitism in Relation to Palestine/Israel: TheSwedish City of Malmö as an Embodiment of the ‘New Antisemitism’ Discourse. David Dahlstrom, Stockholm University, SwedenPart III: Social Media & Hashtag Activism9. Hashtag Activism in the Israeli-Palestinian conflictDaniela Osvald Ramos & Vitória Paschoal Baldin, University of São Paulo, Brazil10. Digital Narratives of Resistance and Solidarity: Mobilisation and Advocacy Strategies on Pro-Palestinian Platforms. Jurate Ruzaite & Andrius Utka, Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania.11. Constructing Victimhood in #FreeGaza and #GazaUnderAttack. Innocent Chiluwa, Heriot-Watt University, U.K.12. Operation FlipTheRhythm: Constructing Support for Palestine Online. Marianne Nacanaynay, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USAPart IV: Framing Actors and Media Perspectives13. Divided Words, Divided Worlds: Contested Media Narratives on Terrorism the Israel War in Gaza. Mostafa Bostani, Bundeswehr University of Munich, Germany14. A Fierce Warrior or the Devil Incarnate? A Critical Discourse Analysis of Online News Headlines on the Death of Yayhia Al-Sinwar. Hebatallah Mohamed, Knowledge Hub Universities, Egypt.15. Anatomy of Monstrousness in Four Globe and Mail’s Editorials on Operation Cast Lead. Peter Eglin, Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada.