Constructing Political Narratives and Seeking International Legitimacy: An Appraisal Analysis of Benjamin Netanyahu’s UN Speech

This study explores how Benjamin Netanyahu employs evaluative language in his political speeches at international forums, particularly in relation to the conflicts between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. Using critical discourse analysis and Martin and White’s (2005) Judgment theory, the study distinguishes between evaluations based on social esteem and social sanction. The data, drawn from transcripts of Netanyahu’s speeches at the United Nations, are analyzed to identify linguistic strategies that construct narratives of existential threat and legitimize Israel’s defensive actions. The findings reveal that Netanyahu consistently uses negative social evaluations to portray his opponents as brutal and immoral, while positioning Israel as a threatened nation acting in justified self-defense. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of how political language shapes public opinion and international perceptions in the context of conflict.