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

Israelis living abroad are flying back to Israel in large numbers to vote in Tuesday's national election, which polls show is extremely tight. Israel does not allow absentee voting, except for citizens serving in its diplomatic missions, so voters overseas must travel in person. One group helping organize citizens abroad estimates that as many as 80,000 Israelis could return, and some travelers are spending thousands of dollars on the trip. Israel has about 7.3 million eligible voters, according to the Washington-based International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

It is Israel's first election since 2022. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party, who has served 18 years over three separate periods, faces top challenger Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff who heads the Yashar party. Both would likely need coalition partners to win. Yael Shomer, a Tel Aviv University political science professor, said the returning voters are not a large bloc but could matter in a very close count. Security concerns, the ongoing Iran war and the exemption of some ultra-Orthodox men from military conscription are among the contested issues.

Left-leaning coverage, represented by MS NOW, leads with the personal side, headlining a traveler's remark that the trip is worth making and stressing that voters spend thousands of dollars because absentee ballots are unavailable. Its excerpt describes the election as high-stakes but offers no figures, candidates or analysts. Right-leaning outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing, while left-leaning and alternative outlets had, so no right-side framing is available for comparison. The Times of Israel adds a distinct local angle on Bay Area Israelis, quoting one who says the country is on the verge of an abyss and needs sanity restored. CNBC supplies the numbers, candidates and expert comment.