Tens of Thousands of Israelis Abroad Expected to Fly Home to Vote in Tight Election

Tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad are expected to fly home to vote in Israel's tightly contested election, because Israelis cannot cast ballots from outside the country. Polls predict a tight race in which every vote could count, and the result will decide the prime minister's fate. At Tel Aviv airport, supporters of opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot are already waiting at arrivals. A "Fly and Vote" initiative helps expats organise their trips, and a petition by Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud party to restrict it failed. Yael Natra, 61, who moved to Canada two decades ago, said she never considered returning to vote because she felt it wrong to vote in a place she no longer lived. After seeing the far right gain power, she said, her view is now different. The return of thousands of expats has prompted debate over how much political influence they will have.

Right-leaning outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing, while left-leaning and alternative/independent outlets had. The New York Times, the only left-leaning outlet here, frames the returnees as voters hoping to swing the election. Its headline and excerpt lead with the debate over their influence, and it says it traveled to Tel Aviv to learn why they are coming. Its excerpt names no politicians, parties or voters. France 24 and AP add detail the Times excerpt lacks. France 24 names Eisenkot's supporters, the Fly and Vote effort and the failed Likud petition. AP leads with Natra's personal account. All three sources agree that expats are returning in large numbers for a close election.