Exploring Message Targeting at Home and Abroad: The Role of Political and Media Considerations in the Rhetorical Dynamics of Conflict Resolution

Authors

  • Elie Friedman Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  • Zohar Kampf Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  • Meital Balmas Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Keywords:

Israeli–Palestinian conflict, mediatization, message, negotiation, rhetoricages

Abstract

Targeting messages on sensitive, conflict-related issues while mediating between disparate audience expectations presents a significant risk to the image and interests of political actors. This study provides a basis for understanding the factors that impact a politician’s choice between using message consistencies or gaps and discusses their consequences for conflict resolution processes. Based on quantitative and qualitative analysis of 644 messages presented by Israeli officials with respect to the Israeli–Arab conflict and Israeli–Palestinian conflict over three different periods (1967‒73; 1993‒2000; 2009‒12), the study points to foreign relations defined by the existence of negotiations rather than mediatization processes as the significant factor that impacts the rhetorical dynamics of conflict resolution negotiations, due to the amplified pressures of a two-level game during periods of rapprochement.

Author Biographies

Elie Friedman, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

ELIE FRIEDMAN, b. 1977, PhD Candidate in Communication (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem). Research Fellow, the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace. Current interest: political discourse analysis. Recent papers in Discourse & Society (Friedman and Kampf) and Journal of Language & Politics.  

Zohar Kampf, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

ZOHAR KAMPF, b. 1972, PhD in Communication (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 2007); Senior Lecturer, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2008- ); currently visiting scholar at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania. Most recent book: Transforming Media Coverage of Violent Conflicts (Palgrave McMillan, 2013).

Meital Balmas, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Meital Balmas, b.1978, PhD in Communication (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 2012); Assistant Professor, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2014-); visiting academic position in Columbia University. Recent papers in Journal of Communication and Communication Research (Balmas & Sheafer).

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Published

2017-04-14

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Articles