Israeli Voters Prioritize Security Over Global Image Before Election

Israeli voters are facing a Tuesday election on Oct. 27 while the country’s international reputation sits at historic lows, yet diplomatic standing has not become a central issue in the campaign. Reports of harassment and attacks on Israeli tourists abroad have increased, but analysts say security concerns dominate the political debate.

The deterioration in Israel’s global image is documented in a Pew poll conducted between February and May 2026. The survey found that a median of 67% of adults across 36 countries held an unfavorable view of Israel. This sentiment follows months of media coverage detailing incidents in Europe, Asia, and the Americas where Israelis were confronted or assaulted after identifying their nationality.

Specific incidents include a group of tourists in Montenegro being told to stay in Israel, a woman in Greece being refused service at a restaurant, and a mother and daughter in Thailand being beaten after disclosing their origin. In the United States, an Israeli couple in California was asked if they were "baby killers" upon checking into a hotel.

Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, argued that many Israelis view the diplomatic decline as largely beyond their control. He noted that voters often accept Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s argument that global hostility is inherent and antisemitic regardless of Israel’s actions. Katz stated that most Israelis do 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 voters are aware of foreign hostility but consider it secondary to the security crisis that has persisted for more than three years. She described Israeli voters as "one-issue voters" in this election, with that issue being security. Dayan explained that the proximity of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack prevents voters from shifting their choices based on diplomatic strategy.

Peter Lerner, a former Israel Defense Forces spokesman, identified the choice between Netanyahu and his opponents, as well as the left-right divide, as the primary factors influencing votes. He noted that international standing is a secondary concern that receives little discussion in the campaign. Most of the dozen or so parties expected to win Knesset seats have not proposed detailed plans to improve public diplomacy.

Exceptions include the B’Yachad Party, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, which proposes elevating Diaspora Jewry in parliamentary matters. The right-wing Amcha Yisrael party lists two prominent public diplomacy activists, including Yoseph Haddad, who has expressed interest in becoming minister for public diplomacy. Journalist Eylon Levy, a former government spokesman, noted that while a new government might buy Israel some goodwill among less-than-friendly allies, he does not believe it will magically boost the country’s international standing.