Israeli voters prioritize security over concerns about the country's global image ahead of October election
Despite rising international hostility toward Israel, most voters see security and the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack as the decisive issues in the upcoming parliamentary election, while the country's diplomatic image receives little attention.
Reports of Israeli tourists facing harassment or assault in several countries have coincided with a sharp decline in Israel’s global reputation, a Pew poll showing a median 67% unfavorable view across 36 nations. The diplomatic fallout includes criticism of Israel’s Gaza campaign and some allies reducing cooperation or imposing sanctions.
Yet, according to senior fellows at the Jewish People Policy Institute and the Institute for National Security Studies, the deteriorating image is not a primary concern for voters. Yaakov Katz said many Israelis accept Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that the world is hostile toward Israel and view rising antisemitism as inevitable, regardless of policy changes. He added that most citizens do not consider the long-term diplomatic consequences, finding reassurance in President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Netanyahu.
Ofir Dayan noted that while Israelis are aware of international criticism, security and the Oct. 7 Hamas attack dominate electoral considerations, making it unlikely that parties will be judged on their public-diplomacy proposals. Former IDF spokesman Peter Lerner echoed this view, describing Israel’s international standing as secondary to the choice between Netanyahu and the opposition and the broader left-right divide.
Only a few parties have addressed Israel’s negative image. The B’Yachad Party, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, proposes a parliamentary observer to focus on diaspora relations. New right-wing party Amcha Yisrael includes public-diplomacy activists among its candidates, with Yoseph Haddad expressing interest in a ministerial role for public diplomacy. Journalist Eylon Levy observed that most candidates view public diplomacy as a means to achieve national interests rather than an end in itself, with divergent approaches ranging from the hard-line stance of Otzma Yehudit to the left’s belief that a more moderate image could improve relations. He doubts a new government would dramatically shift global perceptions, though it might receive a brief period of leniency from less-friendly allies.