Beyond the polls: What are Israelis really thinking as they head to the ballot box?

The Jerusalem Post Magazine interviewed voters across Israel ahead of the October 27 election, finding support for Ben-Gvir from diverse areas, vote-splitting, and random selection. Interviewees from Ra'anana, Jerusalem, Tel Stone, Rosh Ha'ayin, Betar Illit, and Kibbutz Ma'agan Michael express varied reasons for their choices, including security, preventing a Palestinian state, and dissatisfaction with Netanyahu.

With days before the Israeli election on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, The Jerusalem Post Magazine interviewed voters from across the country to capture what they are really thinking beyond the polls. The article argues that polls are often constructed to reinforce the media sources that conduct them, giving a picture of endorsement rather than an accurate snapshot of public opinion. The interviews reveal a range of motivations and some surprises. For instance, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has attracted supporters from left-leaning places like Rosh Ha'ayin to haredi enclaves such as Tel Stone. Some voters describe new approaches, such as 'splitting the vote' or picking two options and choosing one blindly. Interviewees include Mike from Ra'anana leaning toward Smotrich or Likud; Reggie from Jerusalem splitting her ticket between Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir; Yori from Ra'anana prioritizing preventing a Palestinian state and supporting Smotrich; Alan from Tel Stone voting for Ben-Gvir to keep Netanyahu in check; Moshe from Ra'anana planning to choose randomly between two parties; Eli from Kibbutz Ma'agan Michael opposing Netanyahu; Liran from Rosh Ha'ayin supporting Ben-Gvir for gun rights; Fraidel from Betar Illit voting for United Torah Judaism; and Marc from Jerusalem leaning toward the Joint List, favoring a two-state solution. The article notes these reflections of the turmoil Israel faces domestically and with world powers.