Israeli voters keep global image concerns behind security priorities

The international standing of Israel is not driving the Oct. 27 election, according to political analysts and party lists. A Pew Research Center survey conducted between February and May found that a median of 67% of adults across 36 countries held an unfavorable view of the state. Despite this historic dip in global approval, the issue trails the central domestic concerns of the electorate.

The context for this diplomatic friction is a series of high-profile incidents reported over the past several months. In July, Israeli tourists in Montenegro were reportedly confronted by locals who asked if they were taking a break from genocide. In Greece, a woman said a restaurant refused to serve her after she identified herself as Israeli. In Thailand, a mother and daughter were allegedly beaten after declaring their nationality, and in California, an Israeli couple checking into a hotel were asked if they were baby killers. These events have coincided with growing diplomatic hostility, as world leaders describe Israel's military action in Gaza as disproportionate and some allies impose sanctions over West Bank policies.

Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, notes that while Israelis complain that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is ineffective at explaining its policies, most view the global backlash as largely out of their control. Katz, co-author of "While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East," says many citizens accept the argument that the world is against Israel regardless of its actions. He observes that people believe the rise in antisemitism would occur even if the death toll in Gaza were lower, leading them to ignore the potential existential consequences of declining US support.

Katz adds that many voters take comfort in recent endorsements, such as that from President Donald Trump. "Most people here don't think that far ahead," Katz said. "Instead, they take comfort in news such as President Donald Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu." He argues that the average Israeli does not fully grasp how a shift in public opinion could eventually affect the country's survival.

Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, agrees that Israelis are aware of and concerned about the situation abroad. However, she states that with the nation grappling with more than three years of war, other issues are more pressing. Dayan describes Israeli voters as one-issue voters in this cycle. "The issue in this election is security," she said. "We're not remote enough from Oct. 7 for people to completely shift their vote and vote based on this idea."

Peter Lerner, former Israel Defense Forces spokesman for the international press, identifies two main priorities above international standing: whether Netanyahu remains in power and the ideological divide between left and right. "You just don't see very many talking about it and when they do talk about it, it is secondary to everything else," Lerner said. He notes that each side brings its own package of issues related to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, but the diplomatic angle remains a background concern.

Only a few of the dozen or so parties expected to win Knesset seats have proposed specific plans to improve public diplomacy. The B'Yachad Party, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, includes a proposal to elevate the importance of Diaspora Jewry. The party seeks to appoint a non-voting observer in the Knesset to focus on these ties. Amcha Yisrael, a new right-wing party led by former IDF Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter, has placed two prominent public diplomacy activists, Yoseph Haddad and Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, on its candidate list. Haddad has stated his intention to become the next minister for public diplomacy.

Eylon Levy, a former Israeli government spokesman, told JTA's "Waiting for 61" podcast that public diplomacy, or hasbara, is not a goal in itself for most candidates. Instead, the focus is on managing relations to achieve national interests. Levy points out the divergent strategies, noting that the Otzma Yehudit Party, led by Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, aims to project toughness. He describes the left's position as potentially detached from reality, suggesting a belief that Israel's relations will normalize if it behaves like a standard country. Levy does not believe a new government will magically boost Israel's standing, but he expects a more moderate administration to buy some goodwill from theoretical allies.