COLONIZATION PRACTICES ON INSTAGRAM IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION OF PALESTINE: VISUAL NARRATIVES, CENSORSHIP MECHANISMS AND DIGITAL HEGEMONY

Abstract

This study examines the process of Israel’s occupation of Palestine on Instagram in 2025, focusing on visual narratives, censorship practices, and digital hegemony. The role of social media as a new public sphere in shaping narratives of war and occupation is analyzed through user experiences alongside algorithmic interventions. Employing qualitative research methods, selected Instagram posts were subjected to content analysis to detail power relations, hegemonic discourses, and censorship practices on digital media. Findings reveal that social media platforms act not only as passive arenas but also as political and ideological hegemonic mechanisms in conflict dynamics. User resistance strategies and alternative narrative efforts are also explored. The study sheds light on the complex relationship between occupation and media in the digital era and provides recommendations on the ethical and political dimensions of social media.