Israeli Voters Prioritize Security Over 67% Unfavorable Global Rating

Security concerns and internal political divisions have overtaken Israel's declining international reputation as the primary drivers of voter decision-making ahead of the October 27 election. While the country's global standing has dropped, analysts indicate that domestic priorities now dominate the electoral calculus. The aftermath of the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, continues to shape the political landscape, with security remaining the central issue for the electorate.

The erosion of Israel's image abroad has been documented through both high-profile incidents and polling data. In July, Israeli tourists in Montenegro were confronted by individuals accusing them of taking holidays during a genocide. Other reports include an Israeli woman being denied service at a Greek restaurant and a mother and daughter being beaten in Thailand after identifying their nationality. In California, a couple was asked if they were "baby killers" while checking into a hotel. These events align with a Pew survey conducted from February to May, which found that a median of 67% of adults in 36 countries view Israel unfavorably.

Political experts argue that these external pressures have not yet translated into a decisive electoral shift. Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, stated that many Israelis accept Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's position that foreign hostility is rooted in antisemitism. He noted that while the average voter may underestimate the long-term consequences of declining support, particularly in the United States, they find reassurance in President Donald Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu. Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at Tel Aviv University, emphasized that after more than three years of war, other concerns carry greater weight. She stated, "Israeli voters are very much one-issue voters, and the issue in this election is security."

Former Israel Defense Forces international spokesman Peter Lerner agreed that foreign standing ranks behind domestic divisions. He told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the conflict between the left and right, and disagreements over Netanyahu, are more pressing for voters. Journalist Eylon Levy added that candidates generally view public diplomacy through the lens of national interest rather than image repair alone. Levy suggested that a change in government would not immediately transform international perceptions but could earn a grace period from allies.

Few of the roughly dozen parties expected to enter the Knesset have detailed proposals for repairing Israel's image. B’Yachad, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, has proposed a non-voting parliamentary observer focused on Diaspora Jewish issues. Amcha Yisrael, a new right-wing party led by former IDF Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter, lists public diplomacy activists Yoseph Haddad and Fleur Hassan-Nahoum among its candidates. Haddad has expressed interest in becoming public diplomacy minister. The election is scheduled for October 27, with results expected to determine the next government's approach to both domestic security and international relations.