Thousands of Israelis fly home to vote in polls: Why Netanyahu's party is concerned

Top rival Gadi Eisenkot vowed to unite Israel as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu branded him soft on Iran during the final days of a tightly contested election held on Tuesday, October 27. The race pits Netanyahu’s Likud party against a coalition led by Eisenkot, who has campaigned on his security credentials while accusing the incumbent of being unfit to lead. Eisenkot pledged to establish a state commission of inquiry into the failings that allowed Hamas to carry out its October 7, 2023 attack. Netanyahu, who first became prime minister in 1996 and has served approximately 18 years across six terms, remains Israel’s longest-serving leader. This marks the first general election since the October 7 assault and the subsequent wars in West Asia, placing his leadership under intense scrutiny. Thousands of Israelis residing abroad flew home to cast their ballots, driven by the fact that Israeli law prohibits postal or online voting for citizens outside the country, with exceptions limited to diplomats and specific official emissaries. At Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, arrivals included individuals traveling from the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, and parts of Asia, including Azerbaijan. A US-based group estimated that as many as 67,000 Israelis would return for the election, with roughly half originating from the United States. Most travelers paid for their trips personally. Analysts noted that these expatriates often favor political change, and their participation could influence the outcome of a dead heat, potentially equating to around two parliamentary seats. Adam Pines, a 47-year-old resident of Los Angeles, traveled approximately 7,500 miles to Israel, spending $2,900 on flights and $3,500 on accommodation. He described feeling that Israel had lost its moral compass and stated he was reluctant to identify himself as Israeli due to the country’s actions. Pines blamed Netanyahu for failing to prevent the October 7 attacks, citing reports that Israeli officials received warnings about the Hamas threat beforehand. He characterized the incident as a massive, unprecedented failure of leadership. Other expatriates cited dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of regional conflicts and its support for exemptions from military service for the ultra-Orthodox community as reasons for their return. Netanyahu’s Likud party attempted to block a campaign designed to facilitate the flight of Israelis home to vote, according to allegations regarding the effort. The election occurs amid a period in which a record number of Israelis have left the country since 2022. For many arriving at the airport, the journey represented a direct opportunity to participate in governance in a nation where remote voting is largely unavailable. The political landscape features a sharp division, with Eisenkot positioning himself as a unifying figure capable of addressing security lapses, while Netanyahu defends his track record. The high volume of international travelers underscores the global interest in the outcome, as diaspora members seek to impact a contest viewed by some as a referendum on the current administration’s policies and direction.