How to legitimize a war : A Critical Discourse Analysis of Benjamin Netanyahu’s legitimization strategies on the war in Gaza since October 7, 2023

This study examines how legitimacy is constructed and defended through political discourse over time in relation to international criticism during an armed conflict. While previous research has often treated legitimization as relatively static and established at the outset of a conflict, this thesis approaches legitimacy as a dynamic, ongoing process. The study focuses on political speeches delivered by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu between 2023 and 2025 in relation to international criticism of the war in Gaza following the events of October 7, 2023. The relevance to War Studies lies in understanding the role of discourse as a key mechanism through which political actors seek to maintain support for military action and political authority during armed conflicts. A qualitative case study design is employed, applying a Critical Discourse Analysis approach. Drawing on Antonio Reyes’ framework of legitimization strategies and Teun van Dijk’s socio-cognitive theory of context, the analysis examines how legitimization strategies are employed at the linguistic level and how they relate to the political and international context in which they are situated. The findings suggest that legitimization strategies are employed flexibly and evolve in relation to changing political and international circumstances.