Tens of Thousands of Israelis Abroad Plan to Fly Home to Vote

With two weeks remaining until the October 27th elections, tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad are preparing to return to Israel to cast their ballots. This significant mobilization, involving individuals willing to pay for their travel, was a central topic at the "People of the State" conference, organized by "Yedioth Ahronoth" and ynet. A panel discussion featuring Yochanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, Yonatan Bar Sade, president of FLY & VOTE, and Yaron Dekel, a political commentator, explored the motivations behind this surge in electoral engagement.

Bar Sade noted that Israelis abroad have always maintained a strong connection to Israel, citing their response to the October 7th attacks by returning to serve in the reserves. He stated that a recent poll indicated 84% of Israelis abroad view the upcoming elections as "critical." Dekel attributed the heightened engagement to the "shock" of October 7th, which deeply affected Israelis abroad through their personal connections to family and friends in Israel, dramatically increasing their "caring index."

The discussion also addressed the current voting procedures, which require Israelis abroad to return to Israel to vote. Bar Sade argued that the system, established in the 1950s, is outdated and does not reflect the reality of modern mobility, suggesting that Israelis living abroad should not lose their right to vote simply because their "home is abroad." Plesner, however, distinguished between Israelis who have permanently relocated and those whose stay abroad is temporary, like for studies or work.

Plesner expressed that while strengthening ties with the large Israeli population abroad is a national interest, granting them universal voting rights is not currently on the agenda. He believes that those who have moved their residence abroad should not have the right to vote, even if they remain emotionally connected. Conversely, he suggested a different approach for Israelis whose lives are still centered in Israel despite their temporary residence abroad.

Both Dekel and Plesner agreed that Israel's voting system for citizens abroad is among the most restrictive globally, with other countries offering mail-in or electronic voting. Dekel criticized Israel's technological lag, stating the country remains "stuck in 1948" in this regard. Plesner concluded that reforms are necessary to allow Israelis temporarily abroad to vote, emphasizing that the issue has historically been politically charged, with past attempts at reform by figures like Shulamit Aloni and Benjamin Netanyahu.

While acknowledging the potential for a few hundred thousand Israelis abroad to influence the election outcome, particularly in a close race, Dekel suggested that the current wave of returnees is largely composed of liberals aiming to alter the political landscape, causing concern for the Likud party. Plesner cautioned against overly broad voting rights, fearing decisions made by Israelis living far from the immediate impact of Israeli policies, but Dekel countered that these individuals often have close family ties within Israel.