Tens of Thousands of Israelis Living Abroad Are Returning to the Country for a Pivotal Election

Ahead of the upcoming critical general elections in Israel, tens of thousands of Israeli citizens living abroad are flying back to the country to cast their ballots. According to estimates by the US-based nonprofit AID Coalition, approximately 67,000 voters from countries including the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand are returning to head to the polling booths. This election is seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governance style and wartime policies in the region.

Israeli law mandates that citizens, other than diplomats and official envoys, cast their votes in person within the country. In accordance with this rule, many of those traveling thousands of miles from Canada and the US to Tel Aviv state that they are covering their travel expenses to protect the country's democratic values and change the current government. Jonathan Barsade, the head of the AID Coalition, states that regardless of which side of the political spectrum one is on, everyone views this election as critical. While there are more than 7.3 million registered voters in the elections, polls indicate a neck-and-neck race.