Politics

Israeli Youth Majority Identify as Right‑Oriented in Latest Poll

By Nida Ibrahim

A recent poll for Israel’s Channel 12 found that about three‑quarters of Jewish first‑time voters identify as right or centre‑right, a higher proportion than the broader Israeli population. The poll comes as the first Israeli elections in four years have attracted a record number of new voters, with the Central Elections Committee reporting that more than half a million voters aged 18 to 22 were added to the roll since the 2022 elections. Eighty percent of these young voters plan to vote in the October 27 legislative election.

The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) survey indicates that most young Jewish Israelis believe the ballot can influence reality and shape the country’s future, despite limited political activism. The term “Generation Right” has emerged to describe this demographic, though it does not include Palestinian citizens of Israel.

The upcoming election is highly contentious, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s survival and his right‑wing agenda at stake. Critics accuse him of empowering far‑right politicians such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who have been associated with policies that favor Israeli settlements and restrict Palestinian rights.

Smotrich, who secured a defence ministry portfolio in 2022, has promoted land grabs and supported the illegal settlement enterprise in the occupied West Bank. Ben‑Gvir, a former minister convicted of supporting terrorist organisations, has maintained a high profile through social media and public appearances, appealing to a segment of first‑time voters.

The IDI survey also found that social media platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram are key sources of political information for young Israelis, often exposing them to content through their feeds rather than active searching.

In Tel Aviv, an 18‑year‑old supporter of the left‑leaning Democratic Party told AFP that the October 7 attack had deepened fear and made peace seem unattainable. Meanwhile, an 18‑year‑old from southern Israel, wearing a shirt with Ben‑Gvir’s photo, said he plans to vote for Otzma Yehudit, a far‑right party led by Ben‑Gvir.

The election will determine whether Netanyahu’s coalition, which includes far‑right elements, can continue to govern and whether the trend toward right‑wing politics among Israeli youth will solidify.