Shifting Tide

Internationally, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has been widely reported for years in mass media. Most recently, the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, again focused international attention on this region. Examining how this conflict has been reported starting October 2023 and for the subsequent eight months provides an opportunity to examine the framing of these events. This comparative study examines two newspapers of record, one from the United States (a known ally of Israel) and the other from Ireland, often seen as more sympathetic toward Palestinian statehood. A total of 179 articles from the New York Times (NYT) and the Irish Times (IT) were coded for stance, resolution frame, and context frame. Additionally, both publications were examined for changes in stance over time and subjects quoted. The findings reveal that NYT displays a pro-Israel bias; employs destructive, war-focused framing; and often lacks historical context. In contrast, IT primarily takes a neutral stance, emphasizing constructive and solution-based approaches. Both publications reference Israeli authority more frequently than Palestinian perspectives and lack historical context. These results highlight the critical need for balanced reporting, which also provides historical context for understanding the complicated ongoing conflict in this region.