VOICES MARGINALIZED: DISENTANGLING SOCIAL MEDIA PERSPECTIVES IN THE PALESTINE-ISRAEL WAR THROUGH IMAGES OF POWER AND IDENTITY

Abstract

Social media is bringing to light various narratives and global issues. However, these narratives are framed to show a particular stance and affiliation with one group. Similarly, the Israel-Palestine conflict is framed on social media, which involves two distinct narratives and divides them into two social groups. The two social groups represent two ideologies, which further distinguish their identities. However, Instagram captions were selected for the analysis, a total of six captions were selected, three from Pro-Israeli pages, i.e., CNN and BBC, and three captions were selected from Pro-Palestinian pages, i.e., Al Jazeera and TRT World. The narratives in pro-Israeli captions revolve around classifying out-groups as terrorists. However, they justify their actions against Palestinians in these narratives Moreover, the frames that are used include the conflict frame and the morality frame. The narratives in Pro-Palestinian include their marginalization, dehumanization, and subjugated identities. The frames that are used include conflict frames to show their internal and external struggles. The morality frame is also used so the world can sympathize or empathize with them. Overall, both groups identify one another as out-group and associate negative words with each other. The language is at the center, which depicts the images of power and identity in social media narratives.