Voters Prioritize Security Over Israel’s Falling Global Image
A Pew poll found that 67% of adults in 36 countries hold an unfavorable view of Israel, yet most Israelis say the election on Oct. 27 is about safety, not diplomacy.
By Kevin Iyer ·
The upcoming election in Israel on Oct. 27 is being decided by concerns over security, not the country’s deteriorating image abroad. Despite a sharp drop in international standing, most voters and political analysts say the global reaction to Israel’s actions is secondary to the threat posed by Hamas and other regional adversaries.
This disconnect exists despite widespread reports of anti-Israeli sentiment. In July, a group of Israeli tourists in Montenegro was reportedly confronted by locals who asked, “Taking a break from genocide?” and told them to stay in Israel. An Israeli woman in Greece said a restaurant refused to serve her, while a mother and daughter in Thailand were allegedly beaten after identifying themselves as Israeli. In the United States, a couple checking into a California hotel was asked if they were “baby killers.”
The Pew Research Center conducted a poll between February and May 2026 that found a median of 67% of adults across 36 countries held an unfavorable view of Israel. This statistic coincides with growing diplomatic friction, as several nations have pulled back or imposed sanctions due to the ongoing military action in Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank.
Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, noted that many Israelis accept the argument that global opinion is largely fixed. “People accept that argument, and to a large extent, they don’t push back on it. Why? Because part of it is true, right?” Katz said. He added that the average Israeli does not fully understand that declining support, particularly in the US, could eventually have existential consequences for the country.
Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, said Israelis are aware of the situation abroad but view it as less pressing than immediate safety. “Israeli voters are very much one-issue voters, and the issue in this election is security,” Dayan said. She noted that the population is not remote enough from the Oct. 7, 2023, attack to shift their vote based on diplomatic concerns.
Only a few parties have addressed public diplomacy in their platforms. The B’Yachad Party, led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, plans to elevate the importance of Diaspora Jewry by allowing a non-voting observer in the Knesset. The right-wing Amcha Yisrael party has two candidates who are prominent public diplomacy activists, including Yoseph Haddad, who has said he wants to become the next minister for public diplomacy.
Eylon Levy, a former spokesman for the Israeli government, said most candidates view public diplomacy as a tool for achieving national interests rather than a goal in itself. He noted that a moderate government would likely buy Israel some goodwill, even if it did not dramatically change international perceptions. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27.
