‘Last chance to save Israel’: Expats fly home to vote out Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu faces a critical test in Israel’s upcoming general election, where Arab parties are positioned as potential kingmakers after the Prime Minister failed to secure a decisive mandate. The poll, scheduled for Tuesday, serves as a de facto referendum on Netanyahu’s leadership following the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent regional conflicts. With opinion polls indicating a dead heat among candidates, the outcome hinges on a tightly contested race involving more than 7.3 million registered voters. Analysts suggest that the influx of Israeli expatriates returning to vote could influence the balance of power, potentially shifting the equivalent of two parliamentary seats. Tens of thousands of Israelis residing abroad are traveling to Tel Aviv to cast their ballots, driven by a desire to remove the current government from power. Since Israeli law prohibits most citizens living overseas from voting via mail or online, these individuals must be physically present in the country. A US-based organization estimates that approximately 67,000 Israelis will arrive for the election, with roughly half originating from the United States and the remainder from Europe, Canada, Australia, and other regions. Many travelers are funding their trips personally, with some reporting expenditures exceeding $6,000 for flights and accommodation combined. Adam Pines, a 47-year-old resident of Los Angeles, traveled approximately 7,500 miles to Israel, spending nearly $2,900 on airfare and $3,500 on lodging. Pines stated that he feels Israel has lost its moral compass and expressed reluctance to identify himself as Israeli due to international perceptions of the country’s actions. He attributed the failures of October 7 to Netanyahu’s inability to safeguard the nation despite prior intelligence warnings regarding the Hamas threat. Similarly, Orit Eyal-Fibeesh, a 55-year-old charity worker based in the United Kingdom, flew to Israel with her family after spending 1,000 euros on tickets. Eyal-Fibeesh, who co-founded the grassroots group We Democracy in response to 2023 judicial reform proposals, described the election as a final opportunity to save Israel from what she termed a disastrous government. She noted that rising antisemitism abroad has forced some Jews to conceal religious symbols. Lior Suchoy, a 39-year-old doctoral student in the UK, voiced shame over his nationality, describing the country as rotting from within and criticizing the destruction of Israeli society alongside the ongoing conflict with Palestinians. Netanyahu, who first assumed the premiership in 1996, has served for approximately 18 years across six separate terms, establishing himself as Israel’s longest-serving leader. This marks the first national election held since the October 7 assault and the ensuing wars in West Asia. His administration has faced intense scrutiny for its handling of the security crisis and its support for exempting the ultra-Orthodox community from mandatory military service. If Netanyahu loses office, he would face immediate legal exposure regarding long-standing corruption charges. Additionally, a formal investigation would likely commence into the security lapses that allowed the October 7 attack to occur. The significance of the diaspora vote has prompted political maneuvering ahead of the polls. Allegations indicate that Netanyahu’s Likud party attempted to obstruct campaigns designed to facilitate the return of expatriates for voting purposes. The election takes place during a period marked by a record exodus of Israelis from the country since 2022. While many have departed, thousands are now reversing course solely to participate in the democratic process. At Ben Gurion International Airport, arrivals include citizens from diverse global locations, such as Azerbaijan, eager to exercise their franchise. These voters generally favor political change, making their collective impact a pivotal variable in an election characterized by minimal margins between leading contenders. The results will determine whether the current coalition retains control or yields to a new configuration of power.