Ankara: As Israel's genocidal war on Gaza enters a third devastating year, a new generation of Israelis is drifting sharply to the right, driven less by ideology than by populist nationalism, social media-fueled militarism, and the normalization of violence under wartime conditions.

According to Anadolu Agency, where earlier settler movements were motivated by theology or Zionist ideology, Israel's Generation Z is animated by emotion, resentment, and a culture of spectacle - and analysts warn this shift could redefine Israel's political culture for decades. Israeli analyst Ori Goldberg highlights that 'settler communities are very much ideologically driven,' but the younger generation is influenced by populist rhetoric from figures like Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who channels populist rage rather than promoting a clear political vision.

Polls and studies support this observation, with a 2022 survey by the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) finding that 73% of Israelis aged 18-24 identified as politically right-wing. More recent polls indicate an Israel deeply shaped by militarism, with significant support for direct Israeli control over Gaza or an international force, and minimal support for restoring authority to the Palestinian Authority. Additionally, a poll in July 2025 showed that a majority of Jewish Israelis believed their military was making efforts to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's personal standing is fragile, as a February 2025 IDI poll found that a significant portion of Israelis believe he should resign due to dissatisfaction with his handling of the war. This discontent appears to stem from frustration over the war's perceived inadequacies rather than moral opposition. Over the past two years, Israel has killed nearly 67,200 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them women and children, and wounded nearly 170,000. A UN commission recently concluded that Israel is committing genocide in the enclave, exacerbated by a siege and blockade that triggered a famine.

Goldberg emphasized that previously taboo concepts like expulsion and collective punishment of Palestinians have entered mainstream discourse in Israel. On social media, young Israeli soldiers post videos of drone strikes and destruction, turning warfare into a digital spectacle. While religious radicalism remains influential, populist nationalism now transcends religious boundaries, creating a volatile movement that thrives on emotion and resentment.

For Netanyahu, the younger generation's loyalty is conditional and tied to whether he aligns with their goals. Goldberg warns that the next election could push Israeli politics even further to the right, with more extremist politics emerging on the horizon.