Thousands of Israelis Abroad Return Home to Vote in Upcoming Elections
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Israir CEO Uri Sircus noted that daily arrivals have recently exceeded departures, with around 37,000 expected on the day before the vote. This influx highlights the commitment of expatriate Israelis to exercising their democratic right, with many traveling long distances specifically for this purpose.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Thousands of Israelis abroad are returning to Israel to vote in the upcoming elections.
- Israir CEO Uri Sircus highlighted the trend of more passengers arriving than leaving.
- Approximately 37,000 passengers are expected to land in Israel on the day before the elections.
- Returning voters include supporters of both the 'change bloc' and the Likud party.
Thousands of Israelis residing abroad are returning to Israel in the days leading up to the upcoming elections, with many making the trip specifically to cast their ballots.
Uri Sircus, CEO of Israir, highlighted a trend of more passengers arriving in Israel than departing. Data indicates that in the last two weeks, an average of approximately 32,200 passengers have landed in Israel daily, compared to about 26,000 departing passengers. The number of arrivals is expected to peak on Monday, the day before the elections, with an estimated 37,000 passengers scheduled to land.
While not all arrivals are solely for voting, and the overall numbers are comparable to summer months, the significant gap between inbound and outbound travelers is notable. Sircus commented that these returning Israelis, some traveling thousands of kilometers, are demonstrating a commitment to their democratic right to vote, showcasing their dedication and sense of belonging.
For Israelis living abroad, voting requires returning to the country as general absentee voting is not widely available. This often involves long flights for short visits focused on participating in the elections. An estimate from the Fly&Vote initiative suggests tens of thousands of Israelis living overseas are expected to return for the vote, with many having already purchased tickets.
Contrary to some social media perceptions, the returning voters are not exclusively supporters of the 'change bloc' but also include many supporters of the Likud and the coalition. The elections are scheduled for Tuesday.
