Constructing Enemies and Victims: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Palestine and Israel in the 7 October Conflict

Abstract

This study examines the discursive construction of Palestine and Israel in the news coverage of the 7 October 2023 conflict by The Guardian (TG) and the New Straits Times (NST). Drawing on Wodak’s Discourse-Historical Approach (DHA), with particular focus on nomination and predication strategies, this qualitative study analyses nine news articles published during the first two days of the conflict, 7–8 October 2023. The findings reveal differences in how the two newspapers construct Palestinian and Israeli actors despite reporting on the same event. TG tends to foreground Israeli actors as vulnerable victims, particularly through references to Israeli civilians and people, while Palestinian actors are more frequently associated with attacks, militancy, and terrorism. This creates an asymmetrical representation in which Israeli victimhood is more prominently emphasised. In contrast, NST presents a more balanced representation, with both Palestinian and Israeli actors constructed as victims and active participants. Both sides are also associated with positive and negative predications, including the right to self-defence and involvement in violent actions.