Overseas Israelis mobilise for 'change' in election that could end Netanyahu era

Overseas Israelis are flocking to Israel to cast their votes in an election that has the potential to dismantle Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political legacy. The surge in international arrivals has been staggering, with an estimated 67,000 Israelis from the United States and Europe traveling to Tel Aviv to participate in the vote. These overseas voters have contributed to a 25% increase in turnout, which equates to the equivalent of two seats in the 120-seat Knesset.

Ben, a voter recently arriving from Maryland, expressed his dissatisfaction with the government's performance over the past 20 years, stating that the leadership has been ineffective and counterproductive. The majority of the overseas voters are secular Israelis, causing concern among the current government. This concern stems from the global criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, where over 74,000 lives have been lost in the past three years, following the devastating October 7 Hamas attacks that claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives. The impact of these security issues on the election outcome remains uncertain.

Shirley Segal, whose brother was among the overseas voters, expressed her disappointment in Netanyahu's handling of the situation in Gaza, calling it a "big failure." Her brother, Danny Segal, emphasized the need for a new direction for Israel, stating that the current policies are threatening the idea of a Jewish homeland in the country. Segal believes that Israel must learn to coexist with its Arab neighbors and that a change is necessary for the country's future.