For those outside Israel, the terms "left" and "right" in the country's political discourse can be misleading. Unlike in Europe or the United States, where these labels are typically associated with economic policies, taxation, and the size of government, Israel's political spectrum is primarily structured around differing views on the Palestinians, territorial control, security, and the very definition of Zionism.

While economic and social issues do exist and are debated within Israel, they do not consistently define the boundaries between political camps. It is common for politicians to advocate for state intervention in the economy and still be considered right-wing, or for individuals to hold socially liberal views while remaining aligned with nationalist ideologies.

Historically, the Israeli left was closely tied to Labor Zionism and the institutions that played a key role in the nation's founding, such as the Histadrut labor federation and the kibbutz movement. This era emphasized state-led development and a collectivist economic model. The right, stemming from the Revisionist tradition and later coalescing around the Likud party, challenged this dominance, prioritizing Jewish historical claims to the land, a more assertive concept of sovereignty, and eventually, a more market-oriented economic approach.

However, the political landscape began to shift significantly after 1967, and more profoundly following the Oslo Accords in the 1990s. The focus of Israeli politics increasingly turned toward the territories occupied since 1967 and the Palestinian population residing within them. Consequently, the left became more associated with the idea of territorial compromise, pursuing negotiations, and the argument that separation from the Palestinians was necessary for Israel to maintain both its Jewish character and democratic principles.

The right, in contrast, became identified with opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, strong support for the expansion of settlements in the occupied territories, and the belief that territorial withdrawal would exacerbate security threats rather than resolve the conflict. The violence of the Second Intifada in the early 2000s significantly eroded the left's support among Jewish voters, as many viewed the unrest as evidence of the failure of peace concessions.

The withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, followed by Hamas's subsequent takeover and ensuing conflicts, further solidified this perspective. While the October 7, 2023 attacks did not initiate this shift, they undeniably accelerated a pre-existing trend, elevating security concerns and Jewish identity to an even more central position in political discourse than in the post-Oslo years.

Today, being "right-wing" in Israel is predominantly characterized by a more stringent stance on Palestinian national aspirations, security matters, and territorial control. This outlook often translates into policies that emphasize maintaining Israeli sovereignty and security, sometimes at the expense of territorial compromise or concessions to Palestinian statehood.

Conversely, the "left" is generally associated with advocating for a two-state solution, a withdrawal from occupied territories, and a greater emphasis on democratic values and human rights for all populations under Israeli influence. However, the strength and influence of the left have been challenged by decades of conflict and security concerns, leading to a political environment where even centrist positions are often viewed through the lens of national security and territorial integrity.