Voters pick safety over global view before Israel vote

Israeli voters are prioritizing domestic security over the country's deteriorating international reputation ahead of the October 27 election.

The shift in global perception is documented in a Pew Research Center poll conducted between February and May 2026. The survey covered 36 countries and found a median of 67% of adults held an unfavorable view of Israel. This statistic coincides with a rise in reported incidents abroad where tourists were harassed or attacked after identifying as Israeli.

In July, Israeli tourists in Montenegro were confronted by locals who asked if they were taking a break from genocide. In Greece, a restaurant reportedly refused to serve an Israeli woman, while in Thailand, a mother and daughter were beaten after disclosing their nationality. In the United States, an Israeli couple in California was asked by hotel staff if they were baby killers. These events have fueled a narrative of growing foreign hostility, with some world leaders labeling Israel's military actions in Gaza as disproportionate and others imposing sanctions over West Bank policies.

Despite these diplomatic challenges, the issue is not a primary driver for most voters. Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, stated that many Israelis accept the argument that the world is largely against Israel regardless of its actions. Katz, co-author of While Israel Slept, noted that people often do not push back on this view because they believe the rise in global antisemitism would continue regardless of Israel's specific decisions. He argued that the average Israeli does not fully grasp that declining support, particularly in the United States, could have existential consequences for the country.

Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, said Israelis are aware of foreign concerns but view them as secondary to more pressing issues. Dayan noted that the country is still grappling with the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attack. She described Israeli voters as one-issue voters in this election, with security being the dominant priority. Because the trauma of the attack is still fresh, she said, voters are unlikely to shift their choices based on diplomatic positioning.

Peter Lerner, former Israel Defense Forces spokesman for international press, agreed that international standing is secondary to two main factors: whether Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power and the divide between left and right parties. He observed that while candidates discuss these topics, they are rarely the central focus of debate. Lerner stated that the question of who is best suited to handle security threats overshadows the discussion on global image.

Most of the dozen or so parties expected to win Knesset seats have not proposed detailed plans to improve public diplomacy. The B'Yachad Party, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, has suggested elevating the importance of Diaspora Jewry by allowing a non-voting observer in parliament to focus on these issues. Amcha Yisrael, a right-wing party led by former IDF Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter, includes two prominent public diplomacy activists on its list, including Yoseph Haddad, who has expressed interest in the ministerial role.

Eylon Levy, a former Israeli government spokesman, noted that public diplomacy is often viewed as a tool rather than a goal in itself. He pointed out that the far right, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit Party, favors a tough approach, while the left believes that normalizing government behavior will restore relations. Levy argued that while a new government will not magically boost Israel's standing, a more moderate administration might secure a grace period and regain some goodwill among theoretical allies.

The election is scheduled for October 27. Candidates will continue to campaign on security and the legacy of the October 7 attack, while the specific details of diplomatic strategy remain largely absent from the public discourse.