NEWSru IsraelPolitics13:35

Tens of Thousands of Israelis Abroad Return Home to Vote

Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba

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Around 67,000 Israelis living abroad have returned to Israel to vote in the upcoming parliamentary elections, according to the Fly&Vote initiative. This effort aims to boost turnout among expatriates, with organizers assisting with logistics but not covering travel costs. A special flight from Portugal brought over 100 voters after flight cancellations. Analysts believe most returning voters will oppose the Likud party.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Approximately 67,000 Israelis living abroad returned to vote in the parliamentary elections.
The non-partisan Fly&Vote initiative facilitated the return of these voters.
Israel generally restricts overseas voting to those working in official capacities abroad.
A special flight from Portugal brought over 100 Israelis after flight cancellations.
Organizers state their goal is maximum voter participation, not endorsing parties.
Analysts suggest most returning voters will oppose Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party.

Tens of Thousands of Israelis Abroad Return Home to Vote — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Approximately 67,000 Israeli citizens living abroad have returned to Israel to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, according to estimates from the non-partisan initiative Fly&Vote. This figure represents a significant portion of the roughly 810,000 eligible Israeli voters residing overseas, as reported by the Central Bureau of Statistics. Unlike many developed nations that establish polling stations abroad, Israel generally permits voting only for those working in Israeli missions or for the Jewish Agency (Sochnut).

The Fly&Vote initiative, supported by the American-Israeli Democratic Independent Organization AID Coalition, aims to increase voter turnout among Israelis living abroad who intend to return to Israel eventually. The organization assists registered individuals with verifying their eligibility, submitting necessary paperwork, and in some cases, arranging group ticket purchases and temporary accommodation.

A special flight from Portugal, organized with Fly&Vote's assistance, brought over 100 Israelis to the country after the Portuguese airline TAP canceled its flights to Israel. Many of these temporary returnees plan to stay only long enough to cast their ballots.

Organizers emphasize that Fly&Vote does not endorse any specific candidate or party, stating their sole objective is to maximize participation in the elections. While the votes of Israelis abroad are not typically included in pre-election polls, political analysts suggest that a majority of those returning are likely to vote against Likud and Benjamin Netanyahu.