Politics · Other · 2 hrs ago
More than 50,000 Israelis abroad expected to return for election
Israelis living abroad are returning home to vote in Israel’s Oct 27 election.
More than 50,000 are expected to travel, according to the Aid Coalition, which advocates for Israeli democracy.
The election is widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government after nearly three years of war in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon.
Israel does not allow citizens to vote from abroad, so voters must return to the country to cast ballots.
The Aid Coalition’s Fly & Vote programme helped arrange travel and provided information about polling stations and identification requirements.
After a petition by Netanyahu’s Likud party, a settlement requires the programme to stop selling additional flights, though tickets already bought remain valid.
The overseas vote could influence Israel’s political direction, with some returning voters saying they are concerned about the country’s values and the relationship between religion and state.
More than 50,000 Israelis living abroad are expected to return to Israel to vote in the October 27 election, according to the Aid Coalition.
Israel does not allow citizens to vote from abroad, so voters must travel home to cast their ballots.
The election is widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his hard-right government after nearly three years of war in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon.
The Aid Coalition’s Fly & Vote initiative helps Israelis abroad find polling information and arrange travel.
Netanyahu’s Likud party accused the initiative of electoral bribery, while the Aid Coalition said the accusation had no foundation.
- Who
- More than 50,000 Israelis living abroad are expected to return, according to the Aid Coalition.
- What
- They are travelling to Israel to vote in the election.
- When
- The election is scheduled for October 27.
- Where
- Israelis abroad are travelling to Israel to cast their ballots.
- Why
- The election is seen as a referendum on Netanyahu’s government and as important to Israel’s future.
Likud
Aid Coalition
Electoral bribery allegation
Likud
Likud accused the Fly & Vote initiative of electoral bribery.
Aid Coalition
The Aid Coalition said the accusation had no foundation and said it provided no financial incentives.
Sylvie Lidgi last cast a ballot in Israel.
Likud filed a petition with Israel’s Central Elections Committee against the Fly & Vote initiative.
A settlement required the Aid Coalition to stop selling additional flights, while previously purchased tickets remained valid.
Israelis are scheduled to vote in the election.
- Expected returnees
- More than 50,000 Israelis
- Election date
- October 27
- Travel initiative
- Fly & Vote
- Petitioning party
- Likud
- Last Israeli ballot for Sylvie Lidgi
- 1973
4 sources
What people are saying
no foundation whatsoever
That’s why I’m going to vote
This is a crucial time... for defining what is Israeli, what is Judaism, how these things work together
Being in Israel gives a very different perspective than being abroad.