Social work and digital boundaries: Palestinian-Israeli and Jewish-Israeli experiences with WhatsApp during political turmoil

Abstract This research investigated how social workers with diverse national and political backgrounds communicate using digital tools during crises and political conflicts. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, twenty-five social workers from municipal departments of social service in six ethnonationally mixed Israeli cities were interviewed in Hebrew and Arabic. The research examined how social workers with differing national identities navigate communication, focusing on perceptions, actions, and strategies during politically charged periods. The findings revealed three intercorrelated themes: strategic use of digital silence as a coping mechanism, power asymmetries reflected in communication patterns, and the struggle to maintain professional boundaries when political events permeate digital workplace discourse. While using digital tool as WhatsApp may decrease tension, it remained essential for work coordination, it simultaneously became a space where political tensions were enacted through patterns of engagement and disengagement, challenging professional norms and collegial relationships. The study recommends fostering awareness of how national identities shape communication on digital platforms like WhatsApp, encouraging inclusive and supportive professional environments during political crises. Ethical considerations and organizational guidelines should address the intersection of social work diversity, digital communication, and professional practice.