Israelis Flock Home From Abroad to Vote in National Election

Thousands of Israelis returned to the country on Monday via Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv, to participate in the national parliamentary elections. The atmosphere at the airport was described as jubilant, with supporters of opposition parties greeting the arrivals. These supporters, waving flags and using blue balloons, sang patriotic songs and approached passengers to encourage them to vote for their parties. The influx of voters was so significant at times that security personnel had to intervene to allow travelers to exit the arrivals hall. Prominent among the welcoming groups were supporters of Jair Golan's Democrats, Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party, and Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid's B'Jachad alliance. Representatives from the government coalition were reportedly scarce. A reporter for "The Times of Israel" observed several flights from the United States and noted the absence of ultra-Orthodox passengers and a low number of Likud supporters, with most passengers declining interviews. One vocal Likud supporter was heard repeatedly chanting "Only Bibi" and engaging with individuals wearing opposition T-shirts.

Travelers cited various reasons for their return, including family and personal commitments. Some arrived with their entire families, while others had to leave spouses and children abroad due to school schedules. Among the returnees were young Israelis who interrupted backpacking trips in Nepal to cast their ballots. Orly Goren Tishbi, 46, flew from San Francisco for a brief 48-hour visit to support the Democrats, leaving her husband Kfir and their two children in the U.S. where the family relocated a year ago for his tech industry job. Tishbi expressed enthusiasm about the atmosphere on her flight, stating, "Everyone came home to vote. I hope and believe we will change something."

Conservative Rabbi Tzvi Graetz, who has lived in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, for three years, also returned to vote. Graetz, who grew up in Jerusalem and holds American citizenship, had recently participated in the U.S. midterm elections. His parents, Michael and Naomi, immigrated to Israel after the 1967 Six-Day War, and his late father founded the first conservative congregation in the Negev. Graetz indicated his vote would hinge on candidates supporting the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men into the IDF and those who consider the views of the Diaspora. Matan Kapon, 34, arrived from Hamburg with his wife Ilona and their two young children, Leon and Ada. He stated that while he intended to vote, he was already traveling to Israel as part of a delegation and would not have made the trip solely to cast his ballot.