Brief
Israel’s first‑time voters lean sharply right ahead of election
A poll shows most new voters plan to back security‑focused right‑wing parties in the upcoming election.
By Felo News Desk · Published
About 550,000 Israelis aged 18 to 22 will cast their first ballot in the October election, and a Channel 12 poll finds 74% of them describe their views as right or centre‑right, according to New Indian Express.
What happened
The poll, commissioned by Channel 12, surveyed first‑time voters ahead of the election scheduled for later this month. It recorded that a large majority of these young voters prioritize security over economic promises. The survey also noted that the right‑wing shift among Israeli youth has been building for roughly two decades.
What the reports add
The article quotes 18‑year‑old Amihai, a resident of Shomria near Gaza, who said he intends to vote for the ultra‑nationalist party of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, citing the need for deterrence and death‑penalty laws against Palestinians. He also expressed support for the removal of Gaza residents, echoing recent ministerial statements. The piece contrasts this trend with many Western democracies where young voters tend to lean left, noting that Israeli youth have moved in the opposite direction.
What was said
"I'm voting based solely on security — not for whoever will help me buy an apartment in 10 years, but for whoever can guarantee that I'll even still be alive here in 10 years," Amihai told AFP, as reported by New Indian Express.
"After October 7, I want death for the terrorists, I want the terrorists here to suffer in prison, I want there to be deterrence," the teenager added.
How it came about
The shift follows the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis and sparked a three‑year war in Gaza. Since then, security concerns have dominated public discourse, influencing younger voters who grew up amid ongoing conflict and extensive Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
Key facts
- Around 550,000 Israelis aged 18‑22 will vote for the first time in October. (newindianexpress.com)
- A Channel 12 poll found 74% of first‑time voters describe their views as right or centre‑right. (newindianexpress.com)
- 18‑year‑old Amihai from Shomria says he will vote for Itamar Ben Gvir’s ultra‑nationalist party. (newindianexpress.com)
- Amihai cited security, death‑penalty laws and removal of Gaza residents as reasons for his vote. (newindianexpress.com)
Sources
- [1] newindianexpress.com — originally reported as “October 7 scars push Israel's first-time voters to right”
