Chapter 8: Capturing Resistance: Unveiling Visual Narratives of Youth Activism in the Israel–Palestine 2023 Conflict through Media Posted on Instagram

Amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, social media platforms such as Instagram, have emerged as crucial platforms for millions seeking real-time insights, as well as those disseminating information about the conflict. Trending search terms on Instagram, such as “graphic Israel footage”, “live stream in Israel right now,” or #FreePalestine and #SaveSheikhJarrah, revealed a collective thirst for unfiltered frontline perspectives by users. Interestingly, individuals actively posting about the conflict experienced shifts in follower engagement, exemplified by the suspension of activist, Shaun King, whose 6-million followership Instagram account was disabled in December 2023.¹ Digital platforms play critical roles in escalating tensions, exposing governmental cruelty, and rallying international support (Burum, 2016; David, 2014). The case of Palestine and Israel underscores online media’s role in constructing narratives and mobilizing resistance. This study seeks to illuminate the connection between visual storytelling, youth activism, and social media dynamics during conflict (Abushbak et al., 2020; Burum, 2016; David, 2014; Pruchnic, & Ceraso, 2020). This chapter examines textual and visual content by applying Textual-Visual Thematic Analysis to content posted on Instagram. This is done to understand Instagram users’ discourse in October 2023 on Instagram. It analyzes how content shapes narratives and seeks to identify any patterns in the narratives shared by selected Instagram users. As such, this study aims to offer insights into the role that social media, particularly Instagram, plays in influencing narratives, fostering youth activism, and shaping public discourse during conflict.