‘Elections are not a civil war’: the democracy threats worrying Israelis

Two new surveys have revealed deep concern among Israelis about both the integrity of the country’s October election and the possibility of violent conflict within Israeli society. The findings reinforce warnings issued last month by President Isaac Herzog, who urged political leaders and activists not to cross democratic “red lines” during the campaign. Herzog warned that “violence is rearing its head” and reminded Israelis that “elections are not a civil war”. 

According to the Israel Democracy Institute’s July 2026 Israeli Voice Index, 70 per cent of Israelis believe there is a danger to the integrity of the election. Only 40 per cent expressed optimism about the future of Israeli democracy.

A separate survey by the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) found that 39 per cent of Israelis regard violent conflict between social groups as one of the country’s three most serious strategic threats over the next five years. Internal violence ranked alongside Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.

Together, the surveys portray an electorate concerned not only about external security threats, but also about whether Israel’s political and democratic institutions can withstand an increasingly polarised campaign.

Herzog warned of both internal and external threats to the election and called on law enforcement agencies to respond firmly. “Do not turn rivals into enemies,” he told politicians and activists.

His remarks followed a meeting with Shin Bet chief David Zini and Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg. According to Herzog, the officials presented several potential threats to the election and committed to supporting the committee and Israel’s security and law enforcement agencies.