Young Voters Could Decide Israel's Election, Right-Wing Parties Target Their Support

Young Israelis aged 18 to 25 are increasingly politically engaged and could significantly influence the upcoming elections, potentially altering the distribution of Knesset seats. Omri Akunis, a former advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, highlighted in a recent interview that this demographic represents a substantial source of votes, especially energized since the events of October 7. Akunis emphasized that security concerns will likely be the primary factor motivating young voters to participate in the election.

Akunis also noted that many young voters tend to lean right politically, giving right-wing parties, including Likud, a strong opportunity to gain significant support from this group. He stressed the importance of targeted campaigns to effectively mobilize these young voters, stating that with the right approach, right-wing parties could secure a large number of mandates from this segment. The political landscape is thus expected to be shaped heavily by the preferences and turnout of young Israelis in the 2026 elections.