SUMEDANG – The phenomenon of Palestinian disinformation and hoaxes related to Palestinian issues on social media, particularly on the X platform (formerly Twitter), has grown increasingly massive following the ṭūfān al-ʾAqṣā event on October 7, 2023. In response to these digital challenges that threaten historical authenticity, a team of students from Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) initiated an innovative research project under the Social Humanities Research Scheme of the Student Creativity Program (PKM-RSH).
Led by Qurratu Ainy (Arabic Studies) alongside team members Ghinaa Khania (History), Salsabila Siti Muharram, Fathin Lutfi Nisrina, and Nabila Ramadhina Zata, under the guidance of Dr. Fahmy Lukman, M.Hum., the PKM-RSH team analyzed this phenomenon by combining two approaches: Critical Discourse Analysis (Discourse-Historical Approach/DHA) modeled after Ruth Wodak, and Ibn Khaldun’s historiography, specifically focusing on the concept of ‘aṣabiyyah (group solidarity).
Through this interdisciplinary approach, the research aims to unravel the discursive strategies behind the creation of false narratives, measure the vulnerability of Indonesian netizens on platform X, and formulate a fact-verification guide based on historiography.
Filtering Palestinian Disinformation and Preserving Historical Authenticity
The spread of Palestinian disinformation on social media often exploits public sentiment and limited digital literacy to manipulate public opinion. A report by 7amleh (The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media) titled “A War Without Bullets” highlights how algorithms and disinformation are leveraged to weaken the credibility of Palestinian voices in global media.
In the context of Indonesian netizens, who hold strong solidarity with Palestine, this phenomenon risks triggering confirmation bias. Integrating Ibn Khaldun’s concepts—including source criticism, tracking causal relationships, and identifying the subjectivity of ‘aṣabiyyah (from both pro and contra groups)—serves as a vital tool to separate objective narratives from historical manipulation.
The research focuses on text post samples on platform X from October 7, 2023, to April 2026. It involves at least 100 active X users in Indonesia selected via Slovin’s formula using purposive sampling to measure public vulnerability to spreading hoaxes. The team also conducted interviews with Edgar Hamas (activist and influencer), Dr. Maimon Herawati (academic and activist), as well as key policy stakeholders from the Palestinian Embassy and the Ministry of Communication and Digital.
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This research directly contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets:
1. SDG 4: Quality Education
Supports Target 4.7 through the reinforcement of critical digital literacy and historical awareness. The research team designed a output in the form of an infographic guide containing practical steps for netizens to identify and verify disinformation before sharing it.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Supports Target 16.10 in ensuring public access to accurate and truthful information. Countering disinformation regarding the Palestine-Israel conflict helps strengthen public discourse that is fair, transparent, and built on accountable historical facts.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Introduces methodological innovation in the social humanities by combining modern critical discourse analysis with classical Islamic historiography to address information manipulation in the digital era.
Output and Program Publications
In addition to drafting a scientific report and journal article, the project aims to provide strategic policy recommendations for news media and journalists in the form of a Policy Brief regarding communication practices and verifying sensitive historical facts.
Public education, research progress, and interactive material are routinely published on the team’s official social media channels on Instagram (@palsfacts_pkmrsh) and X (@palsfacts_).