Tens of Thousands of Israelis Abroad Plan to Fly Home to Vote
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad are planning to return to Israel to vote in the upcoming elections on October 27, driven by heightened concern after the October 7th attacks. A panel discussed the increased "caring index" and the desire to influence the political outcome. The outdated voting system for Israelis abroad, requiring them to vote in person in Israel, was also a key topic, with calls for reform to better reflect modern realities. The potential impact of these voters on the closely contested election results was also highlighted.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Tens of thousands of Israelis abroad plan to fly to Israel to vote in the October 27 elections.
- The October 7th attacks have significantly increased the "caring index" and desire to influence Israeli politics.
- A panel discussed reforming the voting system for Israelis living abroad, which currently requires in-person voting in Israel.
- Yochanan Plesner distinguished between permanent residents abroad and those for whom Israel remains central.
- The upcoming election is seen as critical, with potential impact from overseas voters in a close race.
Tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad are planning to return to Israel to vote in the upcoming elections on October 27, willing to pay for their flights. This surge in participation is driven by a heightened sense of urgency and concern following the October 7th attacks, which deeply affected Israelis both domestically and internationally.
A panel discussion at the "People of the State" conference, organized by "Yedioth Ahronoth" and ynet, explored the motivations behind this phenomenon. Participants included Yochanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute; Yonatan Bar Sade, president of FLY & VOTE, AID Coalition; and Yaron Dekel, a political commentator. They discussed the impact of October 7th, the desire to influence the political landscape, and the current voting procedures for Israelis abroad.
Bar Sade noted that Israelis abroad have always maintained a strong connection to Israel, citing their mobilization for reserve duty after October 7th. He shared that a recent survey indicated 22% of Israelis abroad view the upcoming election as "critical." Dekel explained that the "caring index" has dramatically increased due to the shock of October 7th, impacting everyone with ties to Israel, thus fueling the desire to return and vote.
The discussion also addressed the outdated voting system for Israelis overseas, which requires them to vote in person in Israel. Bar Sade argued that the current system, established in the 1950s, no longer reflects the reality of Israelis living abroad temporarily for studies or work. Plesner distinguished between Israelis who have permanently relocated and those for whom Israel remains the center of their lives, suggesting different approaches for each group. He also pointed out that Israel is at the extreme end of democratic nations regarding voting accessibility.
Debates also touched upon potential legislative changes, with concerns raised about the political implications of expanding voting rights. Past attempts to reform the system, including proposals by MK Shulamit Aloni and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have faced political hurdles. While some advocate for broader access, others, like Plesner, caution against granting universal suffrage to those who have significantly distanced themselves from Israel, fearing undue influence on critical national decisions.
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