Israelis put voting first as overseas travel declines ahead of election, data shows
The figures indicate that far fewer Israelis are leaving the country ahead of the election than in corresponding periods in previous years, while passengers arriving increasingly outnumber departing.
As Israel prepares for its Knesset elections on October 27, a growing number of Israelis are foregoing vacations and business trips in favor of casting their votes. Channel 13 reported on data from Ben-Gurion Airport indicating a significant shift in passenger traffic, with far fewer Israelis departing the country compared to previous years.
Outbound travel has declined, suggesting that many Israelis consider the election important enough to adjust their plans. In 2026, 245,000 passengers departed Israel, compared to 270,000 in 2025 and 323,000 in 2022. This decline is notable despite the increased availability of flights and aircraft. Conversely, incoming passenger traffic has surpassed outgoing passengers, with a difference of over 90,000 in 2026.
This could be significant, as the influx of returning voters could potentially equal two Knesset seats. While these figures do not confirm the specific intent to vote, they suggest a heightened interest in participating in the election. Notably, Alon Ben-Gurion, grandson of Israel's first prime minister, is among those traveling to Israel specifically to vote.
This trend underscores the importance of the upcoming election, where even small changes in voter turnout could impact the distribution of Knesset seats.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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