Description
Narratives have a significant role in times of conflict, as they provide justification and explanation to the conflict, its eruption, dynamic, and the desired solution (Bar-Tal 2007, 2013). Therefore, they are an important target for change, when promoting inter-group reconciliation (Salomon, 2004). Social media is one of the channels for constructing and disseminating those narratives, and it is seen nowadays as an important player during conflicts. Compared to traditional media, these platforms have potential to be more pluralistic, as dominant actors can be challenged by alternative actors with less resources and visibility (Fuchs, 2010). As a result, social media users can be exposed to alternative narratives in the context of the conflict.
The paper aims to study the role of narratives in social media during conflicts, by focusing on the audience, social media users. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews with social media users in Israel, the study examine how they learn about the conflict with the Palestinians through the online platforms; how they interpret, engage with, and perhaps even disseminate narratives about the conflict and the other group; and how they think that those narratives influence on their views on the conflict. The findings and their Implications will be discussed.
