Historical Trauma and Regimes of Truth: Deconstructing Israel’s Justification Strategies

Abstract

This thesis argues that the discourse surrounding the Hamas attacks of October 7th employs specific mechanisms which create a discursive environment, a Regime of Truth, in which the Eternal Victim narrative is created and presented as a justification for the violent military responses in the Gaza Strip. This narrative is framed and diffused in such a way that it resonates with (most of) Israeli society, leading it to be accepted as the “truth” within the broader context of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Through a Foucauldian discourse analysis of Israeli media – articles from Haaretz, The Times of Israel, the Jerusalem Post, and videos from the IDF YouTube channel – the research examines how this narrative is shaped by historical trauma, cultural symbols, and collective identity, ultimately serving to rationalize military actions in the Gaza Strip. The study identifies key mechanisms, including narrative storytelling, emotional appeals, and expert validation, that contribute to the construction and acceptance of this narrative as societal truth. This study applies Foucauldian discourse theory to provide a deeper understanding of how Israeli state narratives actively shape and sustain specific power dynamics, highlighting the intricate relationship between discourse and power within Israeli politics and the Israel- Palestine conflict. The thesis reveals how the Eternal Victim narrative reinforces a perception of existential threat and silences criticism by marginalizing dissenting voices and framing opposition as an attack on national identity. The findings underscore the importance of critically engaging with such narratives to understand their impact on public perception and conflict dynamics. This research contributes to conflict studies and human rights discourse, advocating for a nuanced understanding of the complexities in the Israel-Palestine conflict.