Strategic War Rhetoric: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Netanyahu’s Efforts to Consolidate the Israel-U.S. alliance through the Congress

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Azzahra, Hayu Anindya (2025) Strategic War Rhetoric: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Netanyahu’s Efforts to Consolidate the Israel-U.S. alliance through the Congress. Undergraduate thesis, UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya.

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Abstract

This study aims to analyze the political discourse strategies used by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his 2024 speech before the United States Congress. The speech was given during rising military tensions between Israel and Hamas, coupled with growing international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. The primary objective of this research is to uncover how Netanyahu constructs political legitimacy, secures support from the United States, and reproduces ideological dominance through political discourse. The research data consists of words, phrases, and sentences from the transcript of Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech, obtained from the official website of the Israeli government. This study employs a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) approach based on Norman Fairclough’s three-dimensional model, which includes textual analysis, discursive practice, and social practice. The research uses a qualitative method focusing on linguistic features, rhetorical strategies, and ideological positioning embedded in the discourse. Textual analysis reveals that Netanyahu’s speech is grounded in a strong ideological framing through three main layers. Initially, a moral dichotomy was established, portraying Israel as a civilized and morally upright entity, while its opposition was depicted as an illegitimate, extremist threat. Second, relational and solidarity strategies are enacted through the use of warm addresses, “we/you” pronouns, rhetorical questions, persuasive modality, and euphemisms that normalize violence. Third, on the expressive level, Netanyahu positions himself as a protective and morally heroic leader, the U.S. audience as ethical allies, and opponents as negatively stigmatized actors. At the level of discursive practice, Netanyahu exploits fragmentation within Congress and public opinion to bolster support from traditional pro-Israel group while suppressing criticism from progressive groups and pro-Palestinian communities. On the social level, the speech functions to preserve power relations and affirm Israel’s position within the framework of Western ideology, which prioritizes democracy, freedom, and anti-terrorism. This discourse contributes to the normalization of hegemonic narratives and deepens global political polarization. The findings of this study indicate that Netanyahu’s speech constructs political legitimacy and ideological dominance by employing moral narratives and Western values to secure support and maintain power relations within the dynamics of global politics.

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Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Creators:	Creators Email NIM Azzahra, Hayu Anindya hanindya.azzahra@gmail.com 03020321059
Contributors:	Contribution Name Email NIDN Thesis advisor Suhandoko, Suhandoko suhandoko@uinsby.ac.id 2028058902 Thesis advisor Fidiyanti, Murni murni1fidiyanti@yahoo.com 2030058301
Subjects:	Kerjasama Internasional Politik Internasional Linguistik
Keywords:	Analisa Wacana Kritis; Benjamin Netanyahu; U.S. Congress; Pidato Politik; Wacana Politik.
Divisions:	Fakultas Adab dan Humaniora > Sastra Inggris
Depositing User:	Hayu Anindya Azzahra
Date Deposited:	01 Jul 2025 07:52
Last Modified:	01 Jul 2025 07:52
URI:	http://digilib.uinsa.ac.id/id/eprint/81676

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