Likud Challenges Overseas Voter Travel Initiative Before Election Committee

The Likud party has filed a petition with the Central Elections Committee, challenging the "Fly & Vote" initiative, which facilitates travel for Israelis living abroad to vote in upcoming elections. Likud argues that this organized effort to bring expatriate Israelis to vote requires scrutiny under campaign finance and propaganda laws. The "Fly & Vote" project presents itself as a non-partisan initiative to help eligible Israeli citizens exercise their right to vote, stating it does not inquire about voting preferences, condition aid on political stances, or cover travel costs for participants.

The petition also addresses "Fly & Aid," a separate project by the American non-profit AID Coalition. While "Fly & Vote" coordinates travel for Israelis abroad, "Fly & Aid" involves volunteer activities within Israel, offering participants a "service stipend" of $250 per day for up to three days. The Central Elections Committee Chairman, Judge Noam Sohlberg, has requested detailed clarifications from AID Coalition regarding "Fly & Vote" and has asked Likud whether it wishes to proceed with the claims concerning "Fly & Aid" after the organization's response.

Sohlberg has also directed Likud to clarify if it intends to withdraw its petition against several respondents, including "The Israeli Camp," individuals linked to the anti-judicial reform protests, and the Democratic Party, following their submitted responses. The judge further raised a question about the extent of his authority, asking Likud and AID Coalition to address whether he can issue orders against individuals or corporations operating outside Israel concerning activities conducted abroad. The Attorney General has been asked to present her principled stance on this jurisdictional issue.

A hearing is scheduled for October 6th at the Knesset, where arguments will be presented regarding the initiative's actual operations, discrepancies in information provided, participant payments, the division of activities between Israel and abroad, and the jurisdictional question concerning foreign entities. Sohlberg's decision does not yet rule on the legality of the "Fly & Vote" initiative or whether prohibited benefits were offered.