Who do Russian-speaking repatriates support in the elections – a fresh poll

A Newsru.co.il poll among Russian-speaking Israelis ahead of the elections for the 26th Knesset found that 54% identify with the right wing, where the main contest is between Yisrael Beitenu (31%) and Likud (30%). Centrists (33%) prefer Yisrael Beitenu (35%), followed by Beyahad (21%) and Yashar (16%). The left wing (4%) is consolidated around Democrats (60%). Age, length of repatriation, country of origin, and income strongly influence the vote.

A fresh Newsru.co.il poll on the political preferences of Russian-speaking Israelis ahead of the elections for the 26th Knesset paints a detailed portrait of the voter. Ideologically, the audience leans right: 54% of respondents identify with the right wing, where the main contest is between Yisrael Beitenu (31%) and Likud (30%). Among centrists (33%), Yisrael Beitenu leads (35%), followed by Naftali Bennett's Beyahad (21%) and Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar (16%). The left wing constitutes only 4% of the audience, but there the Democrats party, led by Yair Golan, dominates (60%). Age is a key factor: voters under 40 (15% of the audience) prefer Beyahad (23%), while older generations overwhelmingly support Yisrael Beitenu and Likud (among respondents over 81, 46% are ready to vote for Yisrael Beitenu). Length of repatriation is also important: the longer a respondent has lived in Israel, the higher the support for right-wing forces and for Benjamin Netanyahu personally. Among recent repatriates (2022–2026), the left-wing Democrats unexpectedly break into the top three. Geography of origin leaves its mark: Yisrael Beitenu receives maximum support among immigrants from Moldova (56%), Belarus (41%), and Ukraine (39%). Likud and Netanyahu are strong in the Jerusalem District, Judea and Samaria (up to 40% support for the prime minister). Yisrael Beitenu and Lieberman show their maximum in the south of the country (up to 39%). Socioeconomic status correlates with choice: among the least affluent (income up to 5,000 shekels), Yisrael Beitenu dominates (40%), while as income rises, the positions of Likud and Netanyahu's popularity strengthen (among the wealthiest, 29% choose Likud, 41% see Netanyahu as prime minister). Yisrael Beitenu maintains its lead across all educational categories.