Politicians Court Gen Z Voters on TikTok Amid Shifting Political Landscape
Translated & summarized from TheMarker by baba
Around 640,000 young Israelis are first-time voters, a bloc worth ten Knesset seats, prompting politicians to focus on TikTok and influencers. Polls indicate a potential gap between online success and actual voting patterns, especially for the right-wing. Commentator Lior Schleien noted that youth are leaning right due to fear and anger stemming from recent national crises.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- 640,000 young Israelis are first-time voters, representing an electoral bloc of ten Knesset seats.
- Politicians are targeting Gen Z voters on TikTok and through social media influencers.
- Polls suggest a potential disconnect between online popularity and voting intentions.
- Commentator Lior Schleien observed youth leaning rightward due to fear and anger.
- Recent national crises have impacted the educational and social development of young people.
Approximately 640,000 young Israelis will vote for the first time in an upcoming election, representing an electoral force equivalent to ten Knesset seats. Politicians are actively targeting this demographic on platforms like TikTok and through social media influencers. However, recent polls and engagement data suggest a disconnect between online popularity and actual voting intentions, particularly regarding support for the right-wing.
Commentator Lior Schleien has been engaging with teenagers in schools and pre-military academies over the past year, discussing politics and the nation's future. He shares recordings of these encounters online. In an August video titled "Is Youth Really Right-Wing, Ignorant, and Violent?", a secular girl questioned this portrayal. Schleien acknowledged the significant challenges faced by young people recently, including the pandemic, repeated elections, the judicial overhaul, and the ongoing war, which have created educational and social crises. He concluded that he observes young people leaning rightward, driven by fear and anger, deeming this a normal and natural reaction.
