Tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad are expected to fly in for pivotal vote

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad are anticipated to travel to their homeland for the upcoming election, according to the AID Coalition, a U.S.-based organization working to bolster Israel's democracy. This month’s vote marks one of the most pivotal in recent years, with many viewing it as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s management of recent conflicts and the nation’s shift to the right both domestically and internationally.

Yael Natra, a 61-year-old expatriate who left Israel for Canada two decades ago, is among those planning to cast her ballot in Tel Aviv. She explained that the far-right's rise to power and the erosion of democracy pushed her to return, despite her initial reluctance to vote in a country she no longer called home. Natra plans to support parties not aligned with Netanyahu’s current administration.

The election is expected to be closely contested, with polling suggesting a narrow margin separating the various parties. Israeli law generally mandates citizens to vote in person in the country, with few exceptions for diplomats and specific officials abroad. Tens of thousands of Israelis are expected to travel from abroad, with estimates from AID Coalition suggesting as many as 67,000 voters returning, primarily from the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Many of these expatriates feel a sense of duty to help preserve Israel’s democracy, with some citing concerns over the government's handling of recent wars, settlement activity in the West Bank, and violence in Gaza. Analysts note that the mobilization effort this year is particularly significant compared to past elections. While much of the focus has been on anti-Netanyahu sentiment, it remains unclear how these returning voters will ultimately cast their ballots, as some previous supporters of Netanyahu have changed their views in response to his administration's actions.