From shelters to the polls, young Israelis voting for the first time: "I will vote for Bibi to stop being prime minister"

In Israel, around 640,000 young voters face their first elections amid significant political, social, and security crises. The emotional weight of recent conflicts influences their voting decisions, with many feeling trauma from personal losses. A notable shift to the right in Israeli politics has occurred since the Second Intifada, with younger voters predominantly leaning towards centrist and right-wing parties. Recent surveys indicate a strong preference for centrist-right ideologies among young voters, while extremist figures like Itamar Ben Gvir gain traction. The upcoming elections reflect deep societal divisions, with Arab parties expected to perform well, and many young voters expressing a desire for change in government representation.