Israel in the Political Discourse of Alianza Popular between 1978 and 1996

This chapter examines how the political discourse of Alianza Popular (AP) and its successor, the Partido Popular (PP), evolved in relation to Israel between 1978 and 1996. Using Wodak’s Discourse-Historical Approach and van Dijk’s categories of ideological discourse analysis, it explores how representations of Israel were strategically employed to reflect and support internal ideological shifts within the Spanish right. The chapter shows how the topos of philosephardism was mobilized to bolster the political and cultural legitimacy of AP/PP, while the theme of terrorism increasingly served to justify support for Israeli policies toward Palestine. The analysis of parliamentary debates reveals a growing alignment with Israel, shaped not only by geopolitical interests but also by a broader process of identity redefinition within the Spanish right in the post-transition era.