Record Demand for Special Flights for Israelis Abroad to Vote

With 57 days remaining until the upcoming elections, a new initiative called Fly&Vote is reporting unprecedented demand for special flights designed to bring Israelis living abroad back to the country to cast their ballots. The AID Coalition organization is arranging seven special flights to Israel, with six departing from New York and one from Lisbon.

The Lisbon flight was added after the airline TAP canceled its flights to Israel, impacting Israelis who had planned to travel for the elections. Tickets for the Lisbon flight cost $580, while those from New York are priced at $1,800.

"We are creating solutions for problems that arise for Israelis who wish to exercise their democratic right and come to Israel to vote in the elections," said Yonatan Bar-Shadeh, president of AID Coalition. "Even flight cancellations will not stop the initiative and our mission to make every Israeli an Israeli voice."

This surge in activity comes amid political concerns raised by the Likud party. About a month ago, the Likud's legal advisor demanded an examination of similar initiatives that offered free accommodation and transportation for voters from abroad, labeling it a "new and serious phenomenon of soliciting voters to come to the country for the purpose of voting."

The Likud's complaint specifically addressed a proposal where Israelis abroad could stay for free in homes within Israel. Hundreds of people reportedly offered their homes to voters. The Likud argued that free accommodation and transport could constitute undue influence on the exercise of the right to vote.

The Central Elections Committee had not yet taken a formal stance on the Likud's claims but reiterated that attempts to influence voting through bribery, forbidden gifts, or benefits undermine the integrity and freedom of elections. The committee also noted that suspected criminal offenses should be reported to the relevant authorities.