The rift in the Donald Trump-Benjamin Netanyahu alliance: Critical discourse analysis by Norman Fairclough

Asror, M. Khozinatul and Surur, Misbahus ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9370-5004 (2026) The rift in the Donald Trump-Benjamin Netanyahu alliance: Critical discourse analysis by Norman Fairclough. Mantiqu Tayr: Journal of Arabic Language, 6 (1). pp. 89-113. ISSN 2774-6372

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Abstract

The rift between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu in the alliance against the Houthi group reflects ideological shifts and political and diplomatic interests in the Middle East, while also marking a change in the direction of US-Israel relations under regional geopolitical pressure. This study aims to uncover the underlying ideology, power relations, and social context reflected in media coverage of the rift between Donald Trump and Benyamin Netanyahu. It also examines their behavioral patterns during critical moments of their alliance, particularly amid the Houthi conflict. Employing a descriptive qualitative method, this research applies Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis framework. The primary data consist of two Arabic language news articles from Al-Jazeera and two from I24 News. Data collection involved translation, close reading, and note taking, while analysis followed the stages of data reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing. The findings reveal that, at the textual level, experiential, relational, and expressive values convey ideology, self-representation, and power asymmetry between Trump and Netanyahu. At the discourse practice level, Al-Jazeera utilizes intertextuality and reported speech, whereas I24 News highlights direct quotations and harmonious narratives. At the sociocultural level, global political dynamics, institutional influences, media roles, and Trump’s extreme nationalist ideology shape discourse construction. The study concludes that in critical situations, Trump is opportunistic, while Netanyahu remains cooperative, reflecting Israel’s dependence on the United States for security and political legitimacy. This study contributes to critical discourse analysis by expanding the object and focus of analysis in explaining the dynamics of the relationship and behavior patterns of the two strategic alliances between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu when in critical situations. However, because this study focuses on two media outlets, future research should involve American media and other international media to provide a more comprehensive understanding of US-Israel relations in the Middle East.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	Benyamin Netanyahu; Donald Trump; Houthi group; Norman Fairclough; political behavior
Subjects:	20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2004 Linguistics > 200403 Discourse and Pragmatics
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities > Department of Arabic Language and Letters
Depositing User:	Misbahus Surur
Date Deposited:	07 Apr 2026 11:34

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