@article{article_1586276, title={Virtue Signaling in Political Communication: US President’s Statements on Civilian Victimization}, journal={Selçuk İletişim}, volume={18}, pages={847–872}, year={2025}, DOI={10.18094/josc.1586276}, author={Ceylan, Fatih}, keywords={Siyasal iletişim, Gösterişçi duyarlılık, İsrail-Filistin savaşı, Sivil mağduriyetleri, ABD başkanının açıklamaları}, abstract={This study aims to contribute to the analysis of political discourse in today’s contradictory and complex structures by examining statements made by US President Biden regarding civilian victimisation in the Israeli–Palestinian war through the lens of ’virtue signaling’. The study employed a case study approach, a qualitative research design. Data were collected using the archive scanning method. The results of the scans show that President Biden made a total of 41 statements regarding civilian victimisation in the year following the start of the war. In these statements, Biden mostly emphasised themes such as the humanitarian crisis, the protection of civilians, humanitarian aid, the call for a ceasefire and the limitation of military operations. The words he used most frequently were ’Israel’, ’Hamas’ and ’terrorists’. It is concluded that all of his statements carried the themes/characteristics of virtue signalling behaviour; that is to say, they are all examples of ostentatious sensitivity behaviour. Furthermore, it is evident that President Biden’s statements concerning civilian victimisation in this war are consistent with US foreign policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is thought that this study of virtue signalling behaviour in political communication will contribute to future literature and research in this area.}, number={2}, publisher={Selçuk Üniversitesi}