Coverage of the Issues of the Judaization of Jerusalem and Palestinian Refugees by Arab News Websites: A Comparative Analytical Study

Authors

  • Dr. Hassan Muhammad Abu Hashish Associate Professor, Department of Journalism, Islamic University of Gaza
  • Khaled Hassan Muhammad Ahmad Head of the Media Studies Department, Al-Nidaa Media Center
  • Hassan Mohammed Abu Hashish Associate Professor, Gaza – Islamic University, Faculty of Arts, Department of Journalism and Media
  • Khaled Hassan Ahmed Gaza – University of Palestine, Department of Media Supervisor of the Radio and Television Studio, University of Palestine, PhD Researcher

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29284/e3ecab81

Keywords:

Agenda-setting theory, Arab news websites, Judaization of Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees, content analysis, media coverage.

Abstract

This study analyzes Arab news websites’ coverage of the Judaization of Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees using a descriptive comparative approach based on agenda-setting theory and content analysis. The sample included Masrawy, Al Arabiya Net, Hespress (Morocco), and Ammon News Agency from January 2023 to June 2025.

Results show that Jerusalem issues received greater coverage (54.52%) than Palestinian refugees (45.48%). Settlement expansion and assaults on Al-Aqsa Mosque were the dominant themes, while strategic dimensions received limited attention. Coverage was mainly news-based, relied heavily on official Palestinian sources, and framed refugees primarily as a humanitarian issue. Overall tone was supportive of Jerusalem and refugee causes.

References

1- Muhammad Ahmad. (2024). News Websites' Treatment of Palestinian Refugee Issues. (Unpublished Master's Thesis), University of Gaza, Faculty of Communication and Languages, Gaza.

2- Suhair Tamraz, Awatif Abdel Rahman (2024). "Palestinian Refugees in the New York Times' Discourse During the 2023 War." Journal of Journalism Research, Vol. 2025, No. 31, Part 2, Faculty of Mass Communication, Cairo University.

3- Raja Saleh. (2022). Evaluating the Role of Educational Radio Programs in Promoting the Right of Return and the Rights of Palestinian Refugees. (Unpublished Master's Thesis), University of Gaza, Faculty of Communication and Languages, Gaza.

4- Mohsen Saleh (2012), The Palestinian Cause: Its Historical Background and Contemporary Developments, 1st ed., Al-Zaytouna Center for Studies, Beirut.

5- Adel Al-Adhaileh (2007), Jerusalem: The Gateway to Peace in the Middle East, 1st ed., Dar Al-Shorouk for Publishing and Distribution, Jordan.

6- Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics http://www.pcbs.gov.ps. Accessed 26/10/2024, 4:00 PM. 11- Palestinian Liberation Organization Negotiations Affairs Department, Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon https://www.un.org/unispal/ar/history. Accessed April 12, 2024, at 11:00 PM.

7- Maguire, Kate. (1981). Judaization of Jerusalem: Israeli Steps to Seize Jerusalem. Dar Al-Afaq Al-Jadeeda, Beirut.

8- B'Tselem, Data on the Deprivation of Citizenship Rights in East Jerusalem, data up to September 11, 2012. Accessed at 4:21 PM. Link: http://www.btselem.org/arabic/Jerusalem/revocation-statistics.

9- Najwa Hasawi. (2008). The Rights of Palestinian Refugees Between International Legitimacy and Palestinian-Israeli Negotiations. Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies and Consultations, Beirut.

10- Suleiman Abu Sitta. (2001). The Right of Return is Sacred, Legal, and Possible. 1st ed. Arab Institute for Studies and Publishing, Beirut.

11- United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) www.un.org/ar/situation-in-occupied-palestine. Accessed February 11, 2024, 1:00 AM.

Downloads

Published

2026-02-10

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

[1]
D. H. M. A. Hashish, K. H. M. Ahmad, H. M. A. Hashish, and K. H. Ahmed, “Coverage of the Issues of the Judaization of Jerusalem and Palestinian Refugees by Arab News Websites: A Comparative Analytical Study”, IJASIS, pp. 2140–2145, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.29284/e3ecab81.

Share