Israelis Staying Home to Vote Amidst Election Season
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
Israelis are delaying travel and staying in the country to vote in upcoming elections, with fewer departures from Ben Gurion Airport this October compared to previous years. The number of arrivals in Israel has significantly surpassed departures, creating a surplus of over 90,000 people. This influx is estimated to be politically significant, potentially affecting the election results, though it includes non-voters. Alon Ben-Gurion, grandson of the first prime minister, returned from the US to vote.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israelis are delaying travel and staying in the country to vote in elections.
- Departures from Ben Gurion Airport are down to 245,000 this October.
- Over 90,000 more people have entered Israel than left recently.
- This influx is estimated to be politically significant, potentially worth two seats.
- Alon Ben-Gurion returned from the US to vote.
With less than two days until election day, data from Ben Gurion Airport reveals a clear trend: Israelis are postponing travel and choosing to remain in the country. A comparison of October's departure figures with the same periods in 2022 and last year shows that many citizens consider the vote important enough to delay vacations and business trips. The most significant indicator is the number of people leaving Israel. Between October 17th and 27th, 245,000 passengers departed Israel this year, a decrease from 323,000 in 2022 and 270,000 last year, despite more flights being available now. While there hasn't been a special "airlift" of incoming flights, the number of people arriving in Israel significantly exceeds those leaving, with the gap widening. This year, over 90,000 more people entered Israel than left, compared to a surplus of 77,000 last year. Politically, this influx is equivalent to approximately two parliamentary seats, potentially impacting the electoral threshold. This figure, however, includes children and foreign nationals who cannot vote. An example of this voter mobilization from abroad is Alon Ben-Gurion, grandson of Israel's first prime minister, who flew in from the United States with his family specifically to cast his ballot.
