67% of adults view Israel unfavorably, yet voters prioritize security

A median of 67% of adults across 36 countries hold an unfavorable view of Israel, according to a Pew poll conducted between February and May 2026. Despite this historic low in global perception, the issue is not a primary driver for voters in the upcoming Oct. 27 election.

The decline in public opinion has been accompanied by visible friction abroad. In July, Israeli tourists in Montenegro were confronted by locals who asked if they were taking a break from genocide. In Greece, a restaurant reportedly refused service to an Israeli woman, while in Thailand, a mother and daughter were beaten after identifying themselves as Israeli. In California, an Israeli couple checking into a hotel was asked if they were baby killers.

Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, notes that while many Israelis complain about the government's lack of effective explanation of its policies, most view the situation as beyond their control. Katz argues that many voters accept Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stance that global opposition is inevitable and rooted in antisemitism. He states that many believe the rise in antisemitism would persist regardless of Israel's actions, even if the number of people killed in Gaza were lower.

Ofir Dayan, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, observes that while Israelis are aware of the hostility abroad, it is not their top priority. She explains that the country has been grappling with more than three years of war, making security the dominant issue. Dayan describes Israeli voters as one-issue voters who focus on security and the events of Oct. 7, 2023, rather than diplomatic standing.

Peter Lerner, a former Israel Defense Forces spokesman, adds that international standing is secondary to two main factors: whether Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power and the ideological split between the left and the right. He notes that while candidates discuss these issues, they are rarely the central talking points in the campaign.

Of the dozen or so parties expected to win seats in the Knesset, only a few have proposed specific plans to improve public diplomacy. The B'Yachad Party, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, suggests elevating the importance of Diaspora Jewry by allowing a non-voting observer in the Knesset to focus on these ties. Amcha Yisrael, a right-wing party led by former IDF Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter, includes public diplomacy activists Yoseph Haddad and Fleur Hassan-Nahoum on its list. Haddad has stated his intent to serve as the next minister for public diplomacy.

Eylon Levy, a former government spokesman, argues that public diplomacy is not a goal in itself for most candidates but rather a tool to achieve national interests. He contrasts the far-right approach of the Otzma Yehudit Party, which aims to make Israel look tough, with the left's belief that normal behavior will restore relations. Levy believes a more moderate government elected on Oct. 27 would likely receive a grace period from allies, even if it does not immediately change global perceptions.