Voters Ignore Record Low Global Image as Security Dominates Israeli Election

Israeli voters heading to the polls on Oct. 27 are focusing on security, even as the country’s international standing hits historic lows. Despite a surge in foreign hostility and physical attacks on Israelis abroad, the global image of the state is barely a factor in the campaign.

Reports of harassment have increased over the past few months. In July, a group of tourists in Montenegro was confronted by locals who asked them to stay in Israel. In Greece, a restaurant reportedly refused service to an Israeli woman, while a mother and daughter were beaten in Thailand after identifying themselves. In California, an Israeli couple was called "baby killers" upon checking into a hotel.

These incidents coincide with a sharp decline in global perception. A Pew poll conducted between February and May found that a median of 67% of adults across 36 countries held an unfavorable view of Israel. Diplomatic friction has also grown, with several leaders calling military actions in Gaza disproportionate and some allies imposing sanctions over West Bank policies.

Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, noted that while there are complaints about the government’s effectiveness in explaining its policies, most Israelis view the image crisis as a problem beyond their control. "People accept that argument, and to a large extent, they don't push back on it," Katz said, referring to the prevailing view that the world is against Israel regardless of its actions.

Katz added that many Israelis believe rising antisemitism would occur even if the death toll in Gaza were lower, such as 10,000 instead of 70,000. "Most people here don't think that far ahead," he said, noting that voters find comfort in endorsements like that of President Donald Trump rather than long-term strategic shifts.

Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, agreed that while Israelis are aware of foreign concerns, they are not decisive in voting choices. "Israeli voters are very much one-issue voters, and the issue in this election is security," Dayan said. The proximity to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack keeps security at the forefront of the ballot.

Peter Lerner, a former Israel Defense Forces spokesman, stated that international standing is secondary to two main questions: whether Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power and the ideological split between the left and the right. "You just don't see very few talking about it and when they do talk about it, it is secondary to everything else," Lerner said.

Most of the dozen or so parties expected to win Knesset seats have not outlined specific public diplomacy plans. The B'Yachad Party, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, proposes elevating the role of Diaspora Jewry by creating a non-voting observer position in the parliament. The right-wing Amcha Yisrael party includes public diplomacy activists on its candidate list, including Yoseph Haddad, who seeks the ministerial post.

Journalist Eylon Levy, a former government spokesman, described the debate as one about managing relations to achieve national interests rather than image alone. On the far right, the Otzma Yehudit Party favors a tough stance, while the left believes Israel’s standing will recover if it behaves like a "normal country." Levy expressed doubt that a new government would magically boost standing but suggested a moderate administration might buy some goodwill from allies.

The election takes place against a backdrop where 67% of adults in surveyed nations hold an unfavorable view of the country. Yet, with the threat of renewed conflict and the memory of Oct. 7 still fresh, the diplomatic fallout remains a secondary concern for the average voter deciding who will lead the nation.