Israel Election: Security Concerns Trump Diplomatic Image

Israeli voters are approaching the Oct. 27 election with a focus on domestic security rather than the country's deteriorating international standing. This shift occurs despite a surge in global reports of harassment against Israelis and a sharp drop in favorable public opinion abroad.

A Pew poll conducted between February and May 2026 found that a median of 67% of adults across 36 countries held an unfavorable view of Israel. Recent media reports detailed specific incidents of hostility, including a confrontation in Montenegro where a tourist was asked to stay in Israel and a restaurant in Greece that refused service to an Israeli woman. In the United States, an Israeli couple in California was called baby killers during a hotel check-in.

Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, noted that many Israelis accept the argument that global opposition is inherent to the country's existence. He observed that voters often view declining support as a problem beyond their immediate control. Katz stated that the average Israeli does not fully understand that falling support, particularly in the US, could have existential consequences. Instead, many take comfort in President Donald Trump's endorsement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, agreed that while Israelis are aware of foreign hostility, it is not the primary factor in their voting decisions. She described Israeli voters as one-issue voters for this election, with security being that issue. Dayan explained that the proximity of the events following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack prevents a complete shift in voting patterns based on diplomatic concerns.

Peter Lerner, a former Israel Defense Forces spokesman, identified two main drivers for voters: the choice between Netanyahu and his opponents, and the divide between left and right. He stated that Israel's international standing is secondary to these factors. Lerner noted that when candidates do address international relations, it is usually in the context of national threats rather than image management.

Most parties running for the Knesset have not proposed detailed public diplomacy plans. The B'Yachad Party, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, plans to create a non-voting observer role in parliament to focus on Diaspora Jewry issues. The right-wing Amcha Yisrael party includes prominent public diplomacy activists on its list, with candidate Yoseph Haddad expressing a desire to become the next minister for public diplomacy.

Journalist Eylon Levy, a former government spokesman, said that public diplomacy is not a goal in itself for most candidates. He argued that the debate centers on managing relations to achieve national interests. Levy noted that while a new government might not magically boost Israel's standing, a more moderate administration would likely buy some goodwill from theoretical supporters.