Discourse analysis of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in international news organisations: The events of 7th October

In this study, some sensational events (the bombing of Al Ehli Baptist Hospital, the allegation that Hamas beheaded babies, the allegation of sexual abuse against Hamas, the identification of Hamas with ISIS/DEASH, and the shooting of the ambulance convoy near Shifa Hospital) that came to the fore in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that started on 7 October 2023 were covered by international media outlets (Al Jazeera, BBC News, CNN International, Deutsche Welle, Russia Today and TRT World), which ideological orientations the media adopt through their discourses, how they reproduce power relations and how they establish the responsibility of impartiality. Van Dijk's Critical Discourse Analysis method was used in the study, which was conducted with qualitative research method and case study design. According to the results of the survey: BBC News, CNN International and Deutsche Welle, in their news reports, dealt with Israel's attacks as 'legitimate defence', 'fight against terrorism', 'retaliation', 'security measures', framed the Palestinian side as 'threat element', 'radical and extremist', 'aggressor' and conveyed their news in parallel with the foreign policies and diplomatic lines of their own countries and ignored Palestine's victimisation. TRT World and Al Jazeera emphasised the humanitarian crises in Palestine and criticised Israel's attacks and rhetoric. Both media outlets questioned Western concepts such as 'terrorism' and 'self-defence' and addressed Israel's policies as a responsible actor. In this respect, they produced a discourse parallel to the Palestinian foreign policy of their respective countries. Russia Today prioritised Russia's interests and presented Israel's actions as 'retaliation', criticising the pro-Israel policies of the US and the West on the axis of anti-Westernism rather than a comprehensive perspective on Palestinian victimisation.