Yaakov Katz: Israel’s Global Image Dip Fails to Top Security for Oct 27 Vote

Security concerns are dominating the Israeli election scheduled for October 27, effectively sidelining the country's deteriorating global image. While international perceptions of Israel have hit historic lows, most voters view this diplomatic friction as a secondary issue compared to domestic safety and the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.

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. This statistic follows months of reports detailing harassment of Israeli tourists abroad. In July, a group in Montenegro was confronted by locals who asked if they were taking a break from genocide. In Greece, an Israeli woman was reportedly refused service at a restaurant after revealing her nationality.

Similar incidents occurred in Thailand and the United States. A mother and daughter were allegedly beaten in Thailand after identifying themselves as Israeli. In California, an Israeli couple checking into a hotel was asked if they were baby killers. These events have contributed to a perception of growing hostility, with world leaders frequently describing Israel's military action in Gaza as disproportionate.

Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, noted that while there are complaints about the government's effectiveness in explaining its policies, most Israelis see the problem as beyond their control. Katz, who co-authored a book on the Hamas surprise, said many voters accept the argument that the world is against Israel and that criticism is often rooted in antisemitism.

Katz added that the average Israeli does not fully grasp that declining support, particularly in the United States, could have existential consequences for the country. He observed that most people do not think that far ahead and take comfort in President Donald Trump's endorsement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, agreed that Israelis are aware of the situation abroad. However, she stated that voters are unlikely to choose a candidate based on this issue because it is not a priority. Dayan described Israeli voters as one-issue voters, with security being the primary concern in this election.

Peter Lerner, a former Israel Defense Forces spokesman, identified two main factors driving the vote: whether Netanyahu remains in power and the division between left and right. He said that Israel's international standing is secondary to these binary choices. He noted that while candidates discuss the topic, it remains a back-burner issue for most voters.

Few of the dozen or so parties expected to win seats in the Knesset have proposed specific plans to improve public diplomacy. The B'Yachad Party, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, plans to elevate the importance of Diaspora Jewry by allowing a non-voting observer in parliament. The right-wing Amcha Yisrael party, led by Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter, includes public diplomacy activists on its candidate list.

Eylon Levy, a former Israeli government spokesman, said that public diplomacy is not a goal in itself for most candidates. He noted that the far-right Otzma Yehudit Party aims to make Israel look tough, while the left believes relations will normalize if the government behaves more moderately. Levy added that while a new government would not magically boost Israel's standing, it would likely buy the country some goodwill among theoretical allies.