Cheers for hardliners on Israel's campaign trail as security drowns out social and economic problems

In West Jerusalem, nearly 300 members of the city’s Anglo-Jewish community gathered for an election debate three weeks before voting in Israel's general election on October 27. The crowd was mainly religious, with the VIP seats occupied by politicians, their aides, and doyens of the pro-Israel PR industry. The presence of a British-Israeli rabbi and pundit, whose family was killed in a Palestinian attack in 2023, demonstrated the community's strong backing for hardliners in the upcoming election.

Despite the country's economic and social issues, the debate focused on security, enemies, and settlements. The main speaker, Israeli settler and social media personality Yishai Fleisher, received loud cheers from the audience for his stance on security issues. He praised Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right National Security Minister, for his actions in jail conditions for Palestinians, increasing Jewish worship at Al Aqsa Mosque, and lowering car insurance rates due to decreased vehicle thefts.

Ben-Gvir's tenure has been criticized for worsening crime statistics, particularly the rise in murders among Arab Israelis. However, the debate did not address the cost of living or the crisis in the country's education system. The most left-wing candidate, Moran Zer Katzenstein of The Democrats, received moderate applause for her work on women's rights, but was met with loud jeers when she challenged the audience to support expelling the population of Gaza.

The debate highlighted the disproportionate role of the Anglo-Jewish community in shaping Israel's international image at a time when its popularity abroad is declining. The audience's response to Ben-Gvir's strong rhetoric indicated their preference for hardline candidates. The opposition parties, including the two main ultra-Orthodox parties, were notably absent, and the debate focused primarily on security concerns.