Constructing “Palestinian Terror” and Pro-Zionist Sympathy in British Tory Press: The Sun’s Coverage of the War on Gaza as a Study Case.

Abstract

This article analyses the language the British newspaper the Sun uses in its coverage of the ongoing war on Palestine. It aims at demonstrating the manner in which the Sun constructs “Palestinian terror”, versus Israeli rule of law and legitimacy as a state. It argues that the Sun’s annual report of the war on Gaza blindsides the resistance side in the conflict, where resistance is portrayed as a group of outlaw thugs and terrorist, serving as a “terror-proxy for the tyrannical terroristic regime of Iran,” with no visible leadership, or signs of an organized and democratically-elected civil authority in Gaza, while Israel is the isle of democracy in a sea of despotism holding the torch of enlightenment and freedom guaranteed by rule of law, and is  courageously battling Oriental forces of darkness. The article uses Critical Discourse Analysis, combined with Saidian Orientalist Discourse analysis to demonstrate the language tools the Sun uses to construct “Palestinian terror” and lawlessness as opposed to Israeli statehood and rule of law.