Israeli Election: Global image concerns trail security issues

Israeli voters face a choice tomorrow that centers on domestic security rather than the nation's standing on the world stage.

The election is scheduled for October 27, 2026. In the weeks leading up to the vote, public discourse has focused heavily on the war and the events of October 7, 2023. While international criticism of Israel has increased, that issue remains secondary to the immediate safety of the population.

Recent months have seen a rise in reported incidents targeting Israeli tourists abroad. In July, a group in Montenegro was confronted by locals who asked if they were taking a break from genocide. In Greece, an Israeli woman reported that a restaurant refused to serve her. In Thailand, a mother and daughter were allegedly beaten after identifying their nationality. In California, a couple checking into a hotel were asked if they were baby killers.

These events coincide with a drop in Israel's global approval ratings. A Pew poll conducted between February and May of this year found that a median of 67% of adults across 36 countries held an unfavorable view of Israel. Diplomatic relations have also strained, with some allies imposing sanctions or pulling back support due to military actions in Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank.

Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, noted that while there are complaints about the government's communication efforts, many Israelis view the situation as largely out of their control. He observed that voters often accept the argument that the world is against Israel regardless of its actions. Katz stated that most people do not think far ahead about the potential existential consequences of declining support, particularly in the United States.

Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, agreed that voters are aware of international concerns. However, she described Israeli voters as one-issue voters for this election. She stated that the primary issue is security, and the country is not yet remote enough from the October 7 attack for voters to shift their priorities based on foreign opinion.

Peter Lerner, a former Israel Defense Forces spokesman, identified two main drivers for this election: whether Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power and the battle between the left and the right. He said that each side brings its own package of issues related to October 7. Lerner noted that international standing is rarely discussed at the forefront of campaigns, and when it is, it is secondary to everything else.

Most parties have not detailed plans to improve public diplomacy. The B'Yachad Party, led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, proposes elevating the role of Diaspora Jewry by allowing a non-voting observer in the Knesset. The right-wing Amcha Yisrael party includes two prominent public diplomacy activists on its candidate list. Eylon Levy, a former government spokesman, said that while a new government might buy some goodwill from allies, he does not believe it would magically boost Israel's international standing.