Israeli Voters Ignore 67% Global Unfavorability Rating Ahead of Oct. 27 Ballot

Israeli voters are treating their country's declining global standing as a secondary concern while security remains the primary driver of their choices in the election scheduled for Oct. 27. This shift occurs despite a Pew poll conducted between February and May 2026, which found that a median of 67% of adults across 36 countries held an unfavorable view of Israel.

The political debate has focused less on foreign policy and more on domestic leadership. Of the dozen or so parties expected to win seats in the Knesset, only a small number have outlined specific plans to repair Israel's image or improve public diplomacy. Most candidates have prioritized the outcome of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack and the question of who will lead the country's military and political apparatus.

Experts indicate that the average Israeli voter accepts a narrative that global hostility is largely immutable. Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, noted that many citizens believe the rise in antisemitism would persist regardless of Israel's actions. He stated, “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 added that the average Israeli does not fully grasp that declining support in the US could have existential consequences for the state.

Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, observed that while Israelis are aware of the international climate, they are unlikely to change their vote based solely on diplomatic issues. She said, “Israeli voters are very much one-issue voters, and the issue in this election is security.” Dayan explained that the proximity of the 2023 events prevents a complete shift in voting behavior toward foreign policy candidates.

Peter Lerner, a former Israel Defense Forces spokesman for the international press, identified two factors that supersede international standing: whether Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power and the ideological split between left and right. Lerner told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that each of these factors carries its own package of security-related issues. He noted, “you just don’t see very few talking about it and when they do talk about it, it is secondary to everything else.”

The B’Yachad Party, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, has proposed elevating the role of Diaspora Jewry by allowing a non-voting observer in the Knesset. The new right-wing party Amcha Yisrael, led by former Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter, includes two prominent public diplomacy activists on its list. Yoseph Haddad, one of those candidates, has stated his intention to serve as minister for public diplomacy. Journalist Eylon Levy, a former government spokesman, described public diplomacy as “not a goal in itself” for most candidates, noting that the debate centers on managing relations to achieve national interests.

Levy predicted that a new government elected on Oct. 27 would not magically boost Israel's international standing but would likely receive a grace period from allies. He said, “I don’t think it will [magically boost standing],” but added that a more moderate government would buy Israel some goodwill among theoretical supporters.