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Tens of Thousands of Israelis Living Abroad Fly Home for Election
Confirmed
In Short: Tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad are expected to fly in for the pivotal election in Israel on Tuesday, according to the AID Coalition, a U.S.-based nonprofit.
Tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad are expected to fly in for the pivotal election in Israel on Tuesday, according to the AID Coalition, a U.S.-based nonprofit. The coalition estimates that as many as 67,000 Israeli citizens have arrived from abroad to vote, based on surveys of expatriates and registration data gathered for its 'Fly&Vote' initiative.
Many of these expatriates have spent significant sums to return for the vote. One voter, Gil-Ad, shelled out about $3,000 to come back, while another, Yael Natra, spent thousands of dollars to travel from Toronto to Tel Aviv.
The mobilization of expatriates is notable compared to past elections, with many citing concerns about the direction of Israeli democracy and society. 'The Israel that I grew up in is disappearing,' said one voter in an interview from Toronto, citing an eroding democracy and a deeply divided society.
Offir Gutelzon, who helped organize flights for expatriates with the organization he co-founded, UnXeptable, said, 'If something won't change this time, I don't know what's going to be.'
While many campaigns have focused on anti-Netanyahu sentiment, it's unclear how those flying in will vote. 'There are also expats coming in to vote for the pro-Netanyahu side,' said Dahlia Scheindlin, an American-Israeli political analyst.
The election is expected to be tight, with more than 7.3 million registered voters and polling suggesting a close race. 'We cannot be a dictatorship!' said one woman, reflecting the sentiment of many voters.
The AID Coalition initially aimed to bring at least 50,000 Israelis home to vote, a target many considered unrealistic. Jonathan Bressada, president of the coalition, said, 'The initiative initially aimed to bring at least 50,000 Israelis home to vote, a target many considered unrealistic.'
Gil-Ad, who will fly back to Boston Tuesday night, will have been in Israel for just 36 hours, highlighting the urgency and dedication of expatriates to participate in the election.
What this adds
The mobilization of expatriates is unprecedented in recent Israeli election history, reflecting a heightened sense of urgency among voters.
The AID Coalition's 'Fly&Vote' initiative has been instrumental in facilitating the return of expatriates, with many voters expressing a strong desire to make a difference in their home country's future.
Background
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in Lisbon, Portugal, on Saturday to protest against proposed labor reforms, with the country's largest union, CGTP, calling for a general strike on December 11.
What's confirmed
- AID Coalition, a U.S.-based nonprofit whose stated mission is strengthening Israel's democracy, estimates that as many as 67,000 Israeli citizens have arrived from abroad to vote, based on surveys of expatriates and registration data gathered for its "Fly&Vote" initiative.
- October 27, 2026 / 12:21 PM EDT / CBS News With a consequential election in Israel Tuesday, tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad have flown in just to cast their ballots.
- "The Israel that I grew up in is disappearing," she said in an interview from Toronto, citing an eroding democracy and deeply divided society.
- The mobilization of expats this year is notable, compared with past Israeli elections, Dahlia Scheindlin, an American-Israeli political analyst, told the AP.
- "If something won't change this time, I don't know what's going to be."
- "There are also expats coming in to vote for the pro-Netanyahu side," Scheindlin said.
- While many campaigns have focused on anti-Netanyahu sentiment, she said it's unclear overall how those flying in will vote.
- Israel has more than 7.3 million registered voters, but polling suggests a tight race.
- Experts have said the mobilization effort abroad this year is notable, compared with past elections.
- TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — For two decades since leaving Israel for Canada, Yael Natra said, she didn't consider returning to vote in her home country's elections.
- Tamar Ichilov, an Israeli living abroad who came to vote ahead of Israel's election, pose for a portrait in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Oct.
- Thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and demand an independent inquiry into the security failures that led to the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023.
What's still developing
- "It is my country. The fact that I'm living abroad doesn't mean that this is not my home here. We wanna make a difference," she said.
- They say their goal is to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has dominated Israeli politics for 30 years.
- It's the first time in the two decades since she left Israel for Canada that she felt she needed to vote in her home country's elections.
- But now, after seeing the far right gain power, Natra, 61, said she believed she had no choice.
- JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Tens of thousands of Israelis living overseas are making extraordinary efforts to return to Israel for the upcoming elections, with an estimated 67,000 expected to fly into the country to cast their ballots.
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