Seeing pivotal election, Israelis fly from around world to vote

As Israel prepares to vote in its parliamentary election on October 27, many Israelis living abroad are making the journey home to cast their ballots. Supporters of Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party have demonstrated in support of the upcoming election. Liran Naaman, a project manager from Amsterdam, spent nearly $900 to fly from Amsterdam to Israel for the election.

He believes his participation matters more than ever, as the government's actions are harming Israelis living abroad. The election is seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his hard-right government following three years of conflict in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon. Polls indicate a tight race. Israel is one of only a few democracies that does not allow citizens to vote while abroad.

More than 50,000 Israelis are expected to travel home to vote, according to the Aid Coalition, a US-based NGO.

Sylvie Lidgi, a dual French-Israeli national living in Paris, sees the election as a choice between two opposing visions of the world: a Torah-based constitution or a liberal democracy. Tami Giniger, a startup consultant in Bangkok, feels it is a crucial time to define what it means to be Israeli and Jewish. She values Israel as a Jewish state but believes it shouldn't be fanatic.

The Aid Coalition has launched a non-partisan initiative called Fly & Vote to assist Israelis abroad in returning for the election. They provide information on polling stations, identification requirements, and help arrange travel. Likud, Netanyahu's party, filed a petition accusing the initiative of electoral bribery, but the NGO denies any wrongdoing.

Some Israelis argue they should be allowed to vote at embassies, but Naaman values the experience of being in Israel to make an informed decision.