The Salient Visual Mechanisms in 'Palestinian Memes' Content: A Cultural and Visual Analysis رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

This study, titled "Prominent Visual Mechanisms in Palestinian Meme Content: A Cultural and Visual Analysis," examines satirical Palestinian memes as a form of digital resistance within the context of life under occupation. It aims to analyze the visual and linguistic symbols embedded in memes published by the Palestinian Memes Instagram page, uncovering their implicit messages and their connection to Palestinian political and cultural structures. Using a descriptive-analytical approach based on semiotic tools, the study investigates a purposive sample of highly engaged posts during the Israeli assault on Gaza in October 2023. The findings highlight the effectiveness of memes in circumventing digital censorship and producing a resistant visual discourse characterized by satire and symbolic depth. The study recommends incorporating meme analysis into digital media curricula and developing ethical guidelines to govern their production and circulation, ensuring respect for victims' dignity while enhancing the educational and resistant potential of such content.