The October 7, 2023 attacks carried out by Hamas are recognized as one of the deadliest days in Israel's history and have had deep effects on the new generation of voters in the country. Amit, an 18-year-old from Shomria in southern Israel, is one of the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who are voting for the first time and emphasizes that security is his main priority in the upcoming elections.
Impact of the Attack on Youth Attitudes
Amit stated in an interview: "I only vote based on security, not based on who will help me buy a house in 10 years." Living near the Gaza border, he clearly expresses his security concerns and says he intends to vote for the right-wing party of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. He added: "After October 7, I want the terrorists to die and I want the terrorists to suffer in prison."
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According to reports, about 550,000 Israelis aged 18 to 22 will vote in this month's elections. In a recent poll, 74 percent of first-time voters described themselves as right-wing or center-right, indicating a shift to the right among Israeli youth.
Social and Political Changes
This trend is clearly in contrast to many Western democracies where youth generally tend to lean left. Analysts believe that this change in the attitudes of Israeli youth has gradually developed over the past two decades. Dalia Scheindlin, an analyst and pollster, says: "Today's young generation has no hope for a comprehensive peace with the Palestinians, and all their political awareness has been influenced by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu."
Meanwhile, other young people, including Gili, 18, expressed in a gathering of Democratic activists in Tel Aviv that society has turned its back on peace and feel that fear and despair have overcome them after the events of October 7. She said: "It makes sense that everyone is moving to the right and becoming more extreme."
In contrast, Yishai Neiman, a Yeshiva student who is soon to enlist in the military, emphasizes that he wants peace but has come to the conclusion that peace is not possible under current conditions. He stressed the necessity of annexing the West Bank and said: "We cannot go back to the situation before October 7."
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