Voters in Israel prioritize security over global image in upcoming election

Security concerns and the political divisions surrounding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are outweighing Israel’s deteriorating international image as voters prepare for the election on Oct. 27. While Israeli media have covered several recent incidents involving citizens abroad, experts say foreign standing is a secondary issue for the electorate.

The shift in global perception has been marked by specific confrontations and statistical data. In July, tourists in Montenegro were confronted by individuals who accused them of taking a holiday from genocide. An Israeli woman reported that a restaurant in Greece denied her service based on her nationality, and a mother and daughter were beaten in Thailand after identifying themselves as Israeli. A couple in California were asked if they were “baby killers” while checking into a hotel.

These anecdotes align with broader survey results. A Pew Research Center survey conducted between February and May found that a median of 67% of adults across 36 countries viewed Israel unfavorably. The data reflects a trend where more world leaders have described military operations in Gaza as disproportionate. Policies regarding the West Bank and settler violence have also led some allies to distance themselves or impose sanctions.

Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, stated that criticism of the government’s international messaging has not become a major electoral driver. He noted that many Israelis accept the argument that hostility is rooted in antisemitism and will persist regardless of policy. Katz warned that voters may underestimate the consequences of declining support, particularly in the United States, although he cited President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Netanyahu as a source of reassurance.

Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies, said Israelis are troubled by foreign hostility but view security as the primary concern after three years of war. She described voters as one-issue voters focused on security. Peter Lerner, a former Israel Defense Forces international spokesman, agreed that foreign standing ranks behind internal political divisions.

Few of the dozen parties expected to enter the Knesset have outlined specific public diplomacy proposals. B’Yachad, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, proposes a non-voting parliamentary observer for Diaspora Jewish issues. The right-wing party Amcha Yisrael includes public diplomacy activists among its candidates, including Yoseph Haddad, who has expressed interest in the ministry of public diplomacy.

Eylon Levy, a journalist and former government spokesman, told JTA’s “Waiting for 61” podcast that a change in government would not immediately transform international perceptions. He suggested that a more moderate administration might receive a grace period from countries that support Israel, but he noted that expectations on the left for quick normalization are often misplaced.