Debating Gaza, imagining China
A study of popular narratives of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict on Zhihu
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 24225009 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Kirill S Kravtsov (0000-0003-0547-0573, Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Elena Soboleva (0000-0003-0525-2728, Institute of Asian and African Studies, HSE University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-10-10 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Asian and African Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0021-9096 • E-ISSN: 1745-2538 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/00219096261491857 |
| OpenAlex | W7221340288 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 34 |
This paper examines how Chinese Internet users interpret the Israeli–Palestinian conflict through discussions on Zhihu, one of China’s largest knowledge-sharing platforms. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of the 175 highly liked answers, the study identifies the two most visible narratives: a moral narrative emphasizing Palestinian victimhood and historical injustice, and a realpolitik narrative that interprets the conflict through strategic interests and global power competition. The paper highlights how online discussions of a distant conflict construct different understandings of international politics. Moreover, the conflict serves as a reference point for reflecting on China’s national identity, historical experience, and global position.
historical injustice · international politics · Israeli-Palestinian conflict · knowledge sharing platform · moral narratives · popular narratives · Zhihu · International Relations and Foreign Policy · Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies · Middle East Politics and Society
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| Highly cited | No |
|---|