Right-Wing Risks Losing Votes by Neglecting Offline Campaigning in 2026 Israeli Elections

As Israel approaches its 2026 elections scheduled for October 27, political campaigns are increasingly focused on digital strategies such as artificial intelligence, micro-targeting, and social media influencers. However, this heavy reliance on digital campaigning risks alienating a significant portion of right-wing voters, particularly in peripheral towns and older neighborhoods, who are less engaged online or do not use the internet at all. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics in 2023, about 13% of Israelis aged 20 and over, approximately 804,000 people, do not use the internet, and projections for 2025 estimate around 846,000 Israelis will remain offline. Many others may own smartphones but do not actively participate in political discourse on social media.

This digital divide presents a strategic challenge for right-wing parties, especially Likud, whose core supporters largely reside in these peripheral areas. These voters often feel fatigued or disillusioned and require direct, personal engagement to motivate them to vote. The article warns that focusing too much on digital metrics like views, likes, and shares, rather than actual voter turnout, could lead to losing these reliable votes. In contrast, left-wing parties are noted for their disciplined, agenda-driven mobilization efforts that translate into high voter turnout.

The author argues that winning the upcoming elections will depend less on online campaigns and more on grassroots, face-to-face efforts such as door-to-door canvassing and personal phone calls. Digital tools should complement, not replace, traditional fieldwork. In tightly contested elections, tens of thousands of votes can determine the government’s future, making every vote critical. The article concludes that the right-wing camp must refocus on human engagement in local communities to secure victory, recognizing that the offline electorate will ultimately decide the outcome.