Election 2026: Security Dominates Over Global Image

Security concerns outweigh international reputation for Israeli voters one day before the national election.

The path to the October 27 ballot has been marked by rising friction between Israel and the rest of the world. In July, tourists in Montenegro were confronted by locals accusing them of vacationing during a genocide. An Israeli woman reported being denied service at a Greek restaurant because of her nationality. A mother and daughter were beaten in Thailand after identifying themselves as Israeli. In California, a hotel couple was asked if they were baby killers. These incidents coincide with a Pew survey conducted between February and May, which found that a median of 67% of adults across 36 countries view Israel unfavorably. More world leaders have labeled military operations in Gaza disproportionate, while some allies have imposed sanctions or distanced themselves due to West Bank settler violence.

Despite these developments, analysts argue that foreign perception remains a secondary issue for the electorate. Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, noted that criticism of the government's international explanations has not become a major electoral concern. He stated that many Israelis accept Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's argument that global hostility is rooted in antisemitism and would persist regardless of policy. Katz warned that the average Israeli does not fully appreciate the consequences of declining support, particularly in the United States, but takes reassurance from President Donald Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu. Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies, said Israelis are aware of foreign hostility but are more troubled by domestic matters after three years of war. She stated, "Israeli voters are very much one-issue voters, and the issue in this election is security." Peter Lerner, a former IDF international spokesman, agreed that foreign standing ranks behind divisions over Netanyahu and the political left-right split.

Political parties have largely avoided detailing public diplomacy proposals. Roughly a dozen parties are expected to enter the Knesset, with few addressing the country's image directly. B’Yachad, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, proposed a non-voting parliamentary observer for Diaspora Jewish issues to repair relations with world Jewry. 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. Journalist Eylon Levy, speaking on a podcast, observed that candidates generally view public diplomacy as a tool for advancing national interests. He described the far-right Otzma Yehudit Party’s approach as emphasizing toughness, while criticizing left-wing expectations that moderate conduct would quickly restore normal relations. Levy noted that a change of government would not immediately transform international perceptions, but a more moderate administration might receive a grace period from countries that support Israel.