Israelis Choose Security as Global Image Plunges to Record Lows
Despite a 67% unfavorable rating in a recent Pew poll, experts say Tuesday’s ballot is defined by domestic security concerns rather than diplomatic standing.
By Stella Brooks ·
Israeli voters are heading to the polls on October 27 with security as their primary focus, largely setting aside the country’s declining international reputation. While Israel’s global image has hit historic lows, experts and analysts note that the diplomatic fallout is not driving the campaign narrative. Instead, the electorate remains concentrated on the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attack and the ongoing military operations in Gaza.
Reports of harassment against Israelis abroad have increased over the past few months. In July, tourists in Montenegro were confronted by locals who asked if they were taking a break from genocide. Similar incidents occurred in Greece, where a restaurant allegedly refused service to an Israeli woman, and in Thailand, where a mother and daughter were reportedly beaten. In the United States, an Israeli couple checking into a California hotel was asked if they were baby killers.
These incidents coincide with a sharp drop in Israel’s standing worldwide. 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. Diplomatic tensions have also risen, with several countries pulling back support or imposing sanctions over military actions in Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank.
Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, said most Israelis view the image problem as beyond their direct control. He noted that many accept the argument that the world is against Israel regardless of its actions, citing a widespread belief that antisemitism would rise even with fewer casualties in Gaza. Katz added that the average voter does not fully grasp the potential existential consequences of declining support, particularly in the United States.
Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, agreed that Israelis are aware of the hostility abroad but consider it secondary to immediate security needs. She described voters as one-issue voters for this election, stating that the memory of October 7 is still too fresh for a complete shift in voting behavior based on diplomatic standing. Peter Lerner, a former IDF spokesman, added that international standing trails two main questions: whether to keep or remove Benjamin Netanyahu, and the choice between left and right candidates.
Most political parties have not detailed public diplomacy plans. 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 to focus on these ties. The right-wing Amcha Yisrael party includes two public diplomacy activists on its list, one of whom, Yoseph Haddad, has expressed interest in becoming minister for public diplomacy.
Journalist Eylon Levy, a former government spokesman, said public diplomacy is not a primary goal for most candidates but rather a tool to achieve national interests. He noted that the far right prefers to appear tough, while the left believes Israel’s relations will normalize if the government behaves like a standard country. Levy doubted a new government would instantly boost Israel’s standing but believed a more moderate administration would secure a grace period from allies.
