Israeli voters set aside global image drop for security concerns

Israeli holidaymakers have faced harassment in Europe, Asia, and the Americas over the past few months, prompting a national conversation about the country's reputation abroad. In July, a group of tourists in Montenegro was confronted by locals who asked if they were taking a break from genocide. In Greece, a woman reported a restaurant refused to serve her after she identified herself as Israeli. Similar incidents occurred in Thailand and a California hotel, where an Israeli couple was called baby killers.

these events coincide with a historic decline in Israel's global standing. A Pew poll conducted between February and May 2026 found that a median of 67% of adults across 36 countries hold an unfavorable view of Israel. Diplomatic friction has grown, with world leaders describing military actions in Gaza as disproportionate and some allies imposing sanctions over West Bank violence.

Despite these developments, the issue of international image is barely factoring into the October 27 election. Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that while there are complaints about the government's effectiveness in explaining policies, most Israelis see the situation as beyond their control.

Katz noted that many voters accept Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's argument that the world is largely against Israel regardless of its actions. He added that the average Israeli does not fully understand that declining support, particularly in the US, could have existential consequences for the country. Instead, many take comfort in endorsements from President Donald Trump.

Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, said Israelis are aware of the hostility abroad but view it as a lower priority compared to the ongoing war. She stated that Israeli voters are primarily one-issue voters, with security being the dominant concern due to the proximity of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack.

Peter Lerner, the former Israel Defense Forces spokesman for the international press, described Israel's international standing as secondary to the choice between supporting or opposing Netanyahu. He noted that most parties have not proposed specific plans to improve public diplomacy.

The B’Yachad Party, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, has proposed elevating the importance of Diaspora Jewry. The new right-wing party Amcha Yisrael includes public diplomacy activists on its candidate list. Journalist Eylon Levy, a former government spokesman, said that while a more moderate government might buy some goodwill from allies, a massive change in global perceptions is unlikely.

Levy observed that political factions hold differing views on how to manage international relations. The far right aims to project toughness, while the left believes normalizing government behavior will restore relations. He concluded that a new government elected on October 27 would likely receive a grace period from less-than-friendly allies.