The Role of Social Media in Enhancing the Palestinian Narrative: A Case Study of "Shehab" and "Maa" Channels on Telegram

Abstract

This study examines the role of social media, particularly the Telegram platform, in promoting the Palestinian narrative, focusing specifically on the "Shehab" and "Maa" channels during the Gaza War of 2023. The research aims to evaluate the performance of the Russian digital platform Telegram during the war that began on October 7, 2023, and to identify the electronic tools utilized by the "Shehab" and "Maa" channels to convey the Palestinian perspective and strengthen the Palestinian narrative. Additionally, the study seeks to highlight the elements of the Palestinian narrative emphasized by these channels, assess the extent of the narrative's dissemination among their audiences, and compare the two channels' approaches to embodying and promoting the Palestinian narrative. The study employs content analysis as a tool to examine published posts and adopts a descriptive-analytical approach to describe and analyze these posts, identifying key national issues, comparing the channels, and evaluating their impact on conveying the Palestinian narrative. The findings indicate that Telegram played a significant role in promoting the Palestinian narrative, with the "Shehab" and "Maa" channels making substantial efforts to enhance it, particularly during the October 2023 war. The study also reveals that the channels diversified their use of electronic tools, with the majority of their posts aimed at reinforcing the Palestinian right to their land. However, differences were observed in the degree of impact, audience size, and the specific elements of the narrative each channel focused on.