Thousands of Israelis living abroad are returning home to vote in Tuesday’s closely contested election, with as many as 80,000 expected to travel back, according to estimates from a group helping overseas citizens participate.
Israel generally prohibits voting from abroad, except for eligible personnel serving in diplomatic missions. With approximately 7.3 million eligible voters, the returning expatriates could influence the outcome of a tight race, political scientist Yael Shomer of Tel Aviv University told CNBC.
Security concerns surrounding the Iran war, exemptions from military service for some ultra-Orthodox men and Netanyahu’s proposed judicial reforms have become central campaign issues.
The Fly & Vote initiative has helped overseas Israelis arrange travel, although participants must pay their own fares. Turnout could reach 87%, pollsters estimate.
Related Tweet:
‘The polls never counted us’: 67,000 Israelis abroad expected to fly home to vote With 810,000 eligible Israeli voters living overseas, tens of thousands are returning for Tuesday's election; a special flight from Portugal brings v... https://t.co/L9U8XXZXxl https://t.co/p2cup52fI1
— Ynet Global (@ynetnews) October 26, 2026
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