Political Landscape Shift in Israel Among Former USSR Repatriates
The aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel has led to significant changes in the political landscape among repatriates from the former USSR. A recent poll conducted in collaboration with the Midgam Institute sheds light on the shifting political orientations, leadership preferences, and concerns of this demographic, particularly in response to heightened security challenges.
One notable trend is the movement toward right-wing positions, with an increase in support for the “very right-wing” and “center-right” categories. Security concerns seem to be the driving force behind this shift. Additionally, the survey revealed that a majority of respondents form their political opinions independently or through media influence, mainly from Hebrew-language outlets.
Security emerged as the top concern for most respondents, followed by economic issues. Leadership preferences also saw a shift, with support for Avigdor Liberman, leader of Yisrael Beytenu party, surpassing that of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Yisrael Beytenu is now the most popular party among former USSR repatriates, with significant gains in support.
The upcoming elections in Israel are expected to reflect these shifting preferences and priorities within the Russian-speaking community, emphasizing the need to consider and understand this influential demographic.
Key Takeaways:
- Shift towards right-wing positions post-attack
- Security concerns drive political stance changes
- Media influence plays a significant role in forming opinions
- Avigdor Liberman gains popularity over Netanyahu
- Yisrael Beytenu emerges as the most favored party