PNN – A new survey shows that livelihoods and the economic future are the most important concerns for youth in the upcoming elections in Israel.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, Ben Kaspit, a renowned Zionist analyst, recently outlined the findings of an in-depth survey conducted by the Midgam Institute in a report. The survey, which assessed the feelings of young people aged 18 to 30 in the occupied territories, reveals the existence of a “deep divide” and a “crisis of identity and trust” on the part of the next generation in the ruling political structure.
Crisis of Representation; Youth’s Isolation from the Political Space
According to data from the Midgam Institute survey, about 65 percent of young Israelis feel that there is no representative in the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) who understands or reflects their concerns and interests. This statistic reflects an “absolute crisis of trust” among a generation that sees itself as a victim of current policies and believes that the existing political structure does not hear their voices.
Economic Policy Failure; the Cabinet’s Achilles Heel
On the other hand, and contrary to what macroeconomic indicators such as inflation and unemployment in Israel indicate, it seems that the main source of this distrust is the dire living conditions and economic pressures. The survey shows that the issue of “cost of living” is the most important concern for young people. Meanwhile, the performance of “Betzalel Smotrich”, Netanyahu’s Finance Minister, has been heavily criticized; so much so that only 10 percent of young people have expressed satisfaction with the economic situation.
Among a large group of young people participating in the survey, Smotrich’s departure from the Ministry of Finance is considered an important goal in the upcoming elections.
The Open Wound of October 7 and the Demand for the Formation of an Investigative Committee
In another part of this report, the issue of the consequences of the events of October 7, 2023, is raised as one of the main axes of dissatisfaction. Contrary to the positions of the ruling coalition, which is trying to shirk responsibility, about 60 percent of young people are demanding the immediate formation of a “sovereign Investigative Committee.” This demand is a clear and decisive message from the youth community to the cabinet, which they consider “a current disconnected from reality.”
Demographic Changes and Social Divides
The Midgam Institute data also reveals some striking demographic changes. For the first time, the percentage of “Haredi” (ultra-Orthodox) youth has reached 14 percent, surpassing the percentage of religious youth (12 percent). Alongside 15 percent of Arab youth, the remaining 60 percent continue to identify as secular or traditional Jews, making up the overwhelming majority of this Sunni group.
Despite the growth of religious movements, ideological divisions remain. Most young people (especially secular ones) oppose the cabinet’s policies in social areas; 80% of them oppose the “gender discrimination” policies of the Netanyahu cabinet. Regarding the controversial “judicial reforms”, an overwhelming majority of young people also oppose them (41% oppose against 31% support).
2026 Elections; Youth Confrontation Field with Netanyahu
The political results of this survey are a new alarm bell for Benjamin Netanyahu, the current Prime Minister of the Zionist regime. 55 percent of young Zionists believe that he should step down from power and only 34 percent want him to continue.
From an electoral perspective, the weight of the vote of young people aged 18 to 30 is very decisive. This age group affects about 30 seats in parliament, 12 of which are related to the primary vote. 42 percent of these young people want to form a “change cabinet” (the cabinet before Netanyahu returned to power), and 41 percent support the continuation of the current right-wing cabinet.
The report concludes that these 3 to 5 seats, fluctuating between political camps, are precisely the point that could pose a serious challenge to the political life of Netanyahu’s far-right cabinet in the 2026 elections, as a decisive factor. The survey clearly shows that, contrary to the cabinet’s narratives, the main concerns of young people are not “war with Iran” or “judicial reforms,” but rather structural inefficiency, the security crisis, and deep social divisions that have placed the entire Zionist society on the brink of a political earthquake.
Ultimately, the Midgam poll findings reveal a deep divide between the ruling coalition and the next generation. The frustration of young Israelis with economic mismanagement, lack of security, and the authorities’ refusal to accept responsibility for the failures of October 7 have transformed them into an opposition force, a situation that threatens Netanyahu’s political survival in the 2026 elections more than ever.