Israel's Youth Lean Right: 'Generation Right' Emerges Amidst Shifting Political Landscape

A record number of first-time voters are participating in Israel's first elections in four years, eager to influence the nation's direction. Contrary to global trends where youth often lean left, young adults in Israel are showing a strong inclination towards the right, according to recent polls. The Israeli Central Elections Committee reports over half a million new voters aged 18-22, with polls indicating that 80 percent plan to vote in the October 27 legislative election. Despite limited political activism, a survey by the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) suggests a majority of young Jewish Israelis believe their vote can shape the country's future. Approximately three-quarters of these young Jewish voters identify as "right or centre-right," a figure notably higher than the general Israeli population, which has been trending rightward for years. This phenomenon has led to the coining of the term "Generation Right" to describe Israel's Jewish youth, excluding Palestinian citizens of Israel.

The current elections, the first since the October 7, 2023 attack, are highly contentious and pivotal for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political future and his right-wing agenda. Critics contend that Netanyahu has bolstered "far-right" politicians to maintain power, citing the elevation of figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to key government roles, thereby normalizing their policies. Smotrich, in 2017, articulated a vision for Israel where only Israelis would have self-determination, while Palestinians would either emigrate, lack political representation, or face designation as "terrorists." His subsequent appointment to the defense ministry in 2022 facilitated land grabs and bolstered the illegal settlement enterprise in the occupied West Bank.

This increasingly prevalent rhetoric against Palestinians is evident. A video by satirist Lior Schleien, featuring a young man expressing a desire to kill Arabs, highlighted this sentiment. Schleien, a left-wing activist who engages with young people, often before their army service, shared this video to offer insight into the younger generation's views. The young man in the video, despite his face being partially obscured, stated his racist views and belief that Arabs should not reside in Israel. Schleien later removed the video following public outcry. In another instance, during a town hall, a female student questioned whether Israel's actions in Gaza constituted genocide, with a friend's reaction suggesting a casual acceptance of such possibilities.

At a gathering for the left-leaning Democrats party in Tel Aviv, 18-year-old Gili expressed to AFP that Israeli society seemed to have abandoned the pursuit of peace, with the trauma of October 7 fostering fear and doubt about its achievability. While the October 7 attack may have accelerated the shift towards the right and far-right, many believe Israeli society has been moving in this direction for years. A survey by Yedioth Ahronoth indicates that over 16 percent of new voters intend to support far-right parties. Amihai, an 18-year-old at an event advocating for illegal Israeli settlements, wore a shirt featuring far-right minister Ben-Gvir. He plans to vote for Otzma Yehudit, Ben-Gvir's party, and resides in an illegal settlement himself. Despite not meeting the threshold in 2020, Ben-Gvir secured a significant role in Netanyahu's 2022 government.

Ben-Gvir has adeptly adopted the language of Israel's youth. Despite past convictions for supporting "terror" organizations and other offenses, surveys show a notable portion of his potential support comes from first-time voters. He has actively used his ministerial position to promote his "I am not mincing my words" policies, often visiting Israeli jails and detention centers to confront Palestinian prisoners and international activists, with these encounters frequently captured on camera. These viral videos have garnered him increased support among young people, including from groups like the "Hilltop Youth," some of whom face sanctions from the European Union and the United Kingdom. The IDI survey highlights social media platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram as primary information sources, exposing young people to political content passively through their feeds.