HAMAS-ISRAEL CONFLICT AND PROPAGANDA: ANALYSIS OF VIDEOS ON THE X PLATFORM OF THE ISRAELI MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Abstract

Today, people are exposed to a wide range of propaganda content through social media platforms without time and space restrictions. Particularly in times of war and conflict, the parties carry out their propaganda activities through social media platforms. In this study, six videos published by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the X platform between October 7, 2023 and February 7, 2024 during the Israel-Hamas conflict, which started on October 7, 2023 and is still ongoing, were analyzed in the context of audio-visual propaganda using the visual-verbal video analysis method (VVVA) developed by Fazeli et al. The main criteria for determining the six videos selected and analyzed through purposive sampling within the scope of the study were that they were shot and edited professionally in a studio environment, that they did not contain real and current images and that they were short propaganda films. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that the videos contained the themes of evoking empathy, appealing to fear, international public opinion and identification. It has been observed that Israel uses these videos, which are professionally prepared and distributed to people through social media platforms, to justify itself during the war process, to mobilize emotions, to gain legitimacy, and to win the support of international public opinion. All semantic and physical components of the videos are strategically constructed to achieve this goal. With these videos, which are part of Israel's propaganda activities, it has been determined that Israel effectively utilizes the power of visual narratives in this age where visual culture, speed and consumption are at the forefront.

Keywords

• Propaganda
• Audio-Visual Propaganda
• The Visual-Verbal Video Analysis Method
• Israel-Hamas Conflict
• X Social Media Platform

HAMAS-İSRAİL ÇATIŞMASI VE PROPAGANDA: İSRAİL DIŞİŞLERİ BAKANLIĞI X PLATFORMUNDA YER ALAN VİDEOLARIN ANALİZİ

Abstract

Günümüzde insanlar; sosyal medya platformları aracılığıyla, zaman ve mekân kısıtlaması olmaksızın propaganda niteliği taşıyan birçok içeriğe maruz kalmaktadır. Özellikle savaş ve çatışma dönemlerinde taraflar, propaganda faaliyetlerini sosyal medya platformları aracılığıyla yürütmektedir. Bu çalışmada 7 Ekim 2023 tarihinde başlayan ve hâlâ devam eden İsrail-Hamas çatışması sürecinde İsrail Dışişleri Bakanlığının X platformunda 7 Ekim 2023-7 Şubat 2024 tarihleri arasında yayınladığı altı video, görsel-işitsel propaganda bağlamında Fazeli ve arkadaşlarının (2023) geliştirdiği görsel-sözel video analiz yöntemiyle (GSVA) çözümlenmiştir. Çalışma kapsamında amaçlı örnekleme yoluyla seçilen ve çözümlenen altı videonun belirlenmesindeki temel ölçütler; videoların stüdyo ortamında, profesyonel bir şekilde çekilmiş ve kurgulanmış olmaları, gerçek ve güncel görüntüler içermemeleri ve kısa propaganda filmi olma niteliği taşımalarıdır. Yapılan çözümlemeler sonucunda videoların empati uyandırma, korkuya başvurma, uluslararası kamuoyu ve özdeşleştirme temalarını içerdiği belirlenmiştir. İsrail’in profesyonel bir biçimde hazırladığı ve sosyal medya platformları aracılığıyla insanlara ulaştırdığı bu videoları; savaş sürecinde haklılığını ortaya koyma, duyguları harekete geçirme, meşruiyet kazanma ve uluslararası kamuoyunun desteğini alma amacıyla kullandığı görülmüştür. Videoların anlamsal ve fiziksel tüm bileşenleri, bu amacı gerçekleştirmek için stratejik bir biçimde kurgulanmıştır. İsrail’in propaganda faaliyetlerinin bir parçası olan bu videolar ile görsel kültürün, hızın ve tüketimin ön planda olduğu bu çağda görsel anlatıların gücünden etkili bir biçimde yararlandığı tespit edilmiştir

Keywords

• Propaganda
• Görsel-İşitsel Propaganda
• Görsel-Sözel Video Analiz Yöntemi
• İsrail-Hamas Çatışması
• X Sosyal Medya Platformu

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