Resistance and Rhetoric: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Mahmoud Abbas’s Speeches on the Israel- Palestine Conflict

Abstract

The study examines how language represents and reinforces the power dynamics in the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel. Focusing on the four selected speeches delivered by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2023, this research critically analyzes the strategies, motives, and implications of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Using Foucault's theory of power and resistance and Fairclough's CDA framework, the study addresses the gap in existing literature on recent resistance efforts. It aims to explore how language functions as a tool for political agency in conflict resolution and identity formation. The findings of this research reveal the hidden complexities in the discourse, highlighting the need to show resilience, unity, justice, and global solidarity against Palestinian suffering. The Palestinian President also calls on the international community to reassess its stance toward Israel and propose a peace conference as the last chance to find a solution. His speeches function as both discourses and social practices, inviting an international re-evaluation of the situation in Palestine. The study suggests that acknowledging historical grievances and current realities can guide the international community toward effective solutions and solidarity with marginalized voices. Keywords: Palestine-Israel conflict, speech, CDA, power, resistance, discursive strategies