A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF BENJAMIN NETANYAHU’S POLITICAL SPEECH

Abstract

This study is aimed to reveal the representation of Iran and to comprehend the social wrongs occurred in Iranian-Israeli’s adversary. The first point, the representation, refers to the linguistic function to create meaning by framing particular social groups, social practices and events. In analyzing the representation of Iran, the study also reveals several points. They are: the portrayal of Iran, the power hierarchy, the social relationship and its relation to the power struggle, and the ideologies manifested in the text. To gain the result, I employ the referential method along with the Systemic Functional Grammar and Appraisal theory. The method and the theories are employed to decode the role of Iran based on how Benjamin positions Iran and to interpret the social phenomena. The second point, the social wrongs, refers to the condition of injustice and unfairness in the case of Iranian-Israeli’s adversary. To achieve the result, I use Bhaskar’s explanatory critique. Not to mention, in this study I also use abductive method by not generalizing the conclusion but interpreting the social phenomena by drawing the possible inferences. The result of this study shows that Benjamin believes that the tough diplomatic solution is more powerful than Iran. He also dichotomies the stakeholders into two main blocs: Iranian bloc and the bloc of the International community, including the West and the Jewish. Specifically, Benjamin regards Iran as his enemy and deems the West and the International community as the Jewish allies. Not to mention, in Benjamin’s text, there are three kinds of ideological beliefs found in the text; Nationalism, Internationalism and Militarism. Since both of Iran and Israel have their nuclear developed in secrecy, both of the countries contribute to the social wrongs in the case of Iranian-Israeli’s adversary. The unidentified nuclear technology of both countries hinders the nuclear warhead because both parties are uncertain to attack first. To solve the adversary, there should be a third party which is powerful enough to oppose Iran and Israel to ratify the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty and make their nuclear supervised by International Atomic Energy Agency.