Security Concerns Top 67% Negative Global Perception in Israeli Election

Security concerns dominate the political discourse in Israel as the country prepares for its general election on October 27. Domestic priorities are eclipsing the nation's declining international standing in the minds of most voters. This shift in focus occurs despite recent reports of hostility toward Israelis abroad.

A Pew Research Center survey conducted between February and May 2026 provides the quantitative baseline for this diplomatic shift. The study found that a median of 67% of adults across 36 countries view Israel unfavorably. This data point coincides with increasing criticism from world leaders regarding military operations in Gaza. Some allies have also distanced themselves or imposed sanctions due to policies in the West Bank.

Specific incidents have brought this tension into sharp relief for Israeli citizens. In July, tourists in Montenegro faced accusations of holidaying from genocide. A woman in Greece was denied service at a restaurant because of her nationality, and a mother and daughter were beaten in Thailand after identifying themselves as Israeli. A couple in California was asked if they were "baby killers" while checking into a hotel. These accounts have fueled debates about the state of Israel's image globally.

Political experts argue that these diplomatic strains have not yet become a deciding factor in the vote. Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that criticism of the government's international explanations has not translated into a major electoral issue. He noted that many Israelis accept Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's view that global hostility is rooted in antisemitism. Katz warned that the average citizen may underestimate the long-term consequences of declining support, particularly in the United States, though reassurance comes from President Donald Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu.

Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies, emphasized that the war has made domestic security the primary focus. She stated, "Israeli voters are very much one-issue voters, and the issue in this election is security." Peter Lerner, a former Israel Defense Forces international spokesman, agreed that foreign standing ranks behind internal divisions over Netanyahu and the political left and right.

Few of the roughly dozen parties expected to enter the Knesset have detailed public diplomacy proposals. B'Yachad, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, has proposed a non-voting parliamentary observer for Diaspora Jewish issues. Amcha Yisrael, a new right-wing party led by former IDF Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter, includes public diplomacy activists among its candidates. Yoseph Haddad, one of these activists, has expressed interest in becoming public diplomacy minister.

Eylon Levy, a journalist and former government spokesman, noted on the "Waiting for 61" podcast 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. Levy cautioned that a change of government would not immediately transform international perceptions, given existing shifts in public opinion. He suggested, however, that a more moderate administration might receive a grace period and gain goodwill from countries that profess support for Israel.