The development of Palestinian newspapers has been affected by waves of political control and structural restrictions throughout history (Berger, 2013). Al-Quds was established in 1951 in East Jerusalem under Jordanian rule, then it slowly shifted to a pro-Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) stance by the early 1990s (Nosek and Rinawi, 2003). After the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967 all publications required an Israeli license, and were subject to military censorship in Jerusalem, which was the only place where Palestinian newspapers were legally allowed to be published. With the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993 and the establishment of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Al-Hayat al-Gadeeda and Al-Ayyam newspapers were established (in 1994 and 1995 respectively), and Al-Quds newspaper was revitalized (Berger, 2013).. While these newspapers symbolized a potential era of media pluralism, they soon fell under the political and financial influence of the PA, which sought to consolidate its control over media discourse (Berger, 2013). Since then, print journalists have faced self-censorship, political polarization, and limited editorial independence. As Berger (2013) notes, the professional lives of Palestinian journalists remain burdened by both the Israeli occupation and internal pressures from the Palestinian authorities, making the sector an “occupying” fourth authority.
Palestinian media reflect diverse political and ideological orientations depending on ownership and control. The two newspapers under study are Al-Haya Al-Gadeeda and Al Quds. Al-Haya Al-Gadeeda is the Palestinian National Authority’s official newspaper, and Al Quds is a Palestinian independent newspaper (Guta & Eissa, 2025). The two newspapers’ understudy have different characteristics, which provide insights into the diverse viewpoints and agendas associated with the 2024 U.S. elections in Palestinian newspapers. First, Al-Haya Al-Gadeeda presents the views of the PA and its national liberation project (Hammad 2022). Next, Al Quds newspaper, which is the first Palestinian newspaper published in occupied territories; it is also the newspaper with the highest circulation in Palestine (Hammad 2022).
In terms of state parallelism, Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda clearly exhibits high parallelism. It acts as the voice of the Palestinian Authority and aligns closely with official positions in its reporting and editorials. Its language reflects government stances and it often avoids criticism of the PA. As a government-funded outlet, its editorial line typically aligns with the official political position of the Palestinian Authority. It often serves as a platform to amplify the state’s stance on international relations, and its discourse reflects the PA’s diplomatic tone, yet often reinforces the political legitimacy of state-led institutions.
In contrast, Al-Quds shows low parallelism. It is an independent newspaper with broader readership, which allows for a more nuanced discourse. It sometimes features opinions critical of the of the PA. Still, it operates cautiously due to licensing pressures and the need to balance political sensitivities. Although headquartered in East Jerusalem and subjected to Israeli regulations, Al-Quds maintains a relatively more independent editorial position. It presents diverse voices, including civil society actors and academic commentaries, and occasionally includes perspectives critical of both Palestinian internal governance and external actors. While Al-Quds does not oppose the PA outright, it does not systematically advocate state policies.
References
Berger, M. (2013). Palestine’s occupied fourth estate: An inside look at the work lives of Palestinian print journalists. Arab Media & Society, (17). https://www.arabmediasociety.com/palestines-occupied-fourth-estate-an-inside-look-at-the-work-lives-of-palestinian-print-journalists/
Guta, H.; E. Eissa (2025). Echoes of Gaza: Semiotic analysis of Palestinian and Israeli political cartoons during the 2023/24 war on Gaza. Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research. Online first.
Hammad, Ahmad (2022), Al-surah al-dhihniyah lil-asra al-Filastiniyyin kama tu‘akisuhā al-sahāfah al-maḥalliyyah (‘The mental image of Palestinian prisoners as reflected by local press’), Al-Majalla Al-‘Ilmiyya li-Buḥūth Al-‘Alāqāt Al-‘Āmma wa Al-I‘lām (Scientific Journal of Public Relations and Advertising Research), 2022:24, pp. 255–92, sjocs.journals.ekb.eg/article_292623_eee7219368f4654366d148f12c6008e3.pdf. Accessed 25 July 2024.
Nossek, H., & Rinnawi, K. (2003). Censorship and freedom of the press under changing political regimes: Palestinian media from Israeli occupation to the Palestinian Authority. Gazette (Leiden, Netherlands), 65(2), 183–202. https://doi.org/10.1177/0016549203065002005