Israelis Rank Security Above Global Image Ahead of Tuesday Vote

Israeli voters plan to judge the Oct. 27 election primarily on security rather than the country's declining global image.

In July, a man and a woman in Montenegro reportedly asked a group of Israeli tourists, "Taking a break from genocide?" and told them to stay in Israel. An Israeli woman in Greece said a restaurant refused to serve her after she identified her nationality. A mother and daughter in Thailand were beaten after telling a man they were from Israel, according to the mother. In California, an Israeli couple checking into a hotel were asked if they were "baby killers."

These incidents align with a Pew poll conducted between February and May 2026. The survey found that a median of 67% of adults across 36 countries hold an unfavorable view of Israel. World leaders have described Israel's military action in Gaza as disproportionate. Some allies have pulled back support or imposed sanctions due to violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that most Israelis view the diplomatic decline as a problem beyond their control. "People accept that argument, and to a large extent, they don't push back on it," Katz said. He noted that many believe antisemitism would rise regardless of Israel's actions. Katz said the average Israeli does not fully understand that declining support could have "existential consequences for the country."

Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, stated that while Israelis are aware of global hostility, it is not a priority for most voters. "Israeli voters are very much one-issue voters, and the issue in this election is security," Dayan said. Peter Lerner, a former Israel Defense Forces spokesman, added that international standing is secondary to the choice between Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders, as well as the left-right divide.

Only a few of the dozen or so parties expected to win seats in the Knesset have addressed public diplomacy. The B'Yachad Party, led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, proposes elevating the importance of Diaspora Jewry and allowing a non-voting observer in the Knesset. Amcha Yisrael, led by former IDF Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter, includes public diplomacy activists Yoseph Haddad and Fleur Hassan-Nahoum on its list. Haddad has stated he would like to be Israel's next minister for public diplomacy.

Journalist Eylon Levy, a former Israeli government spokesman, said public diplomacy is not a goal in itself for most candidates. He believes a more moderate government would buy Israel some goodwill among theoretical supporters, even if it does not magically boost the country's international standing.