Israel Election Travel Deal Reached Between Likud and Overseas Voter Initiative
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
The Likud party and operators of "Fly&Vote" and "Fly&AID" reached a compromise regarding flights for Israelis abroad to vote in elections. Existing flight prices will be maintained, but no new flights will be offered through the programs. Likud had petitioned the Central Elections Committee, alleging the initiative was a foreign-funded effort to influence votes, while the operators claimed it was a non-partisan effort to boost democratic participation. The agreement was facilitated by the committee's chairman.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Likud and "Fly&Vote"/"Fly&AID" reached a compromise on flights for Israelis abroad to vote.
- Existing flight prices will remain, but no new flights will be sold via the programs.
- Likud had petitioned the Central Elections Committee, calling the initiative a foreign-funded effort.
- The initiative's operators stated it is a non-partisan effort to encourage voting.
- The agreement was brokered by Central Elections Committee Chairman Judge Noam Sohlberg.
An agreement has been reached between the Likud party and the operators of "Fly&Vote" and "Fly&AID," initiatives designed to fly Israelis living abroad back to Israel for elections. The deal was brokered after Likud petitioned the Central Elections Committee. Under the terms of the agreement, existing flight prices offered by the initiatives will remain as set by the airlines, but no further flights will be sold through these programs. Likud's petition to the committee was subsequently withdrawn.
The resolution came after the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, proposed that Likud and the initiative operators reach a mutual understanding. Likud had previously argued in its petition, through attorney Ilan Bombach, that the program was run by a "foreign corporation" aiming to encourage Israelis abroad to return and vote by providing "logistical support," including chartering planes, coordinating cheaper flights, and offering other benefits before and after their arrival.
The association operating the flight initiatives countered that its purpose was to provide bureaucratic information, find flight solutions, and assist voters until their arrival in Israel. They maintained that the initiative is non-partisan, solely focused on encouraging participation in the democratic process, and does not inquire about voters' political leanings, thus not constituting bribery or vote-buying. The compromise was finalized today.
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