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Framing the Gaza Conflict: A Comparative Analysis of Official English-Language Communication by Spain and Germany
Malmö University, Faculty of Culture and Society (KS), School of Arts and Communication (K3).
2026 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 10 credits / 15 HE creditsStudent thesis
Abstract [en]

Following the October 7, 2023 attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza, states have engaged not only in diplomatic and military responses but also in strategic communication aimed at shaping interpretations of the conflict. This thesis examines how Spain and Germany frame the Gaza conflict in official international communication and how their framing differs and aligns across phases of the conflict between October 2023 and October 2025. Drawing on framing theory and the concept of strategic narratives, the study analyses how governments define problems, attribute responsibility, make moral evaluations, and propose responses.Methodologically, the thesis adopts an interpretivist and qualitative comparative research design, using qualitative framing analysis informed by principles of qualitative content analysis. The empirical material consists of 59 English-language official government communications, including speeches, statements, interviews, and press materials published by Spanish and German governmental institutions. The analysis is structured across three conflict phases to capture shifts in communication over time.The findings show that both countries consistently employed humanitarian, international law, peace diplomacy, and two-state solution frames, although differences emerged in emphasis and rhetorical style. Spain increasingly adopted a humanitarian and accountability-oriented framing, emphasising ceasefire, Palestinian recognition, and legal responsibility, particularly by 2025. Germany, by contrast, initially placed greater emphasis on security, solidarity with Israel, and historical responsibility, while gradually incorporating stronger humanitarian and diplomatic concerns. The study concludes that Spain and Germany shared considerable common ground in their communication of the Gaza conflict while articulating their positions through different narratives. More broadly, the findings highlight the importance of comparative analyses of official government communication, suggesting that apparent political divergence between states may be less substantial than media portrayals imply.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2026.
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-87115OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mau-87115DiVA, id: diva2:2086592
Educational program
KS K3 Media and Communication Studies (master)
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Available from: 2026-07-15 Created: 2026-07-15 Last updated: 2026-07-15Bibliographically approved

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CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

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Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf