Knesset Vote: 70,000 Returnees Return Ahead of Tuesday Election

An estimated 70,000 Israelis residing abroad have returned to the country or are expected to arrive before Tuesday's Knesset elections. While exact figures are unavailable, political analysts note that if the contest between major blocs remains tight, these votes could influence the final seat distribution.

The potential impact depends on the threshold required to win a single seat. In the 2022 election, approximately 36,000 votes were needed for one seat. With population growth and higher anticipated turnout, that threshold is projected to rise to between 38,000 and 39,000 votes this year. Estimates suggest a majority of returning voters may support the change bloc. Even if 60% of the 70,000 returnees vote for that side, the gain would likely amount to one to one-and-a-half seats.

The influx is visible in hospitality sector data. Africa Israel Hotels reported a 23% increase in occupancy during election week compared to October of last year. Alex Eliyahu, the chain's marketing director, attributed the rise to Israelis combining voting with short vacations. Fattal Hotels also saw higher bookings, particularly in central Israel. Maya Shalev, the company's vice president of marketing and sales, stated that international bookings for the week of October 25 to 29 indicate many travelers are coming specifically to vote. The chain is offering discounts of up to 30%, with an additional 10% off for members of its loyalty program, during that period.

Many of the returnees were present at the October Council rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday night. Judy, who has lived in the United States for over 50 years, traveled from Miami to vote and will return home in early November. She noted that while many Israelis in Miami and Los Angeles lean right, she and others are voting differently. Ofer, who came from New York, said his family flew in solely to vote and will depart the day after the election.

Nurit from the South Sharon area attended the rally with her son-in-law and grandson, who arrived from Canada. Her 18-year-old grandson is casting his first ballot. Zehava, who flew in from New York, stated she plans to vote for Likud and organized her trip in advance. However, not all planned return trips were successful. Some Israelis were stranded abroad after flydubai canceled flights following an attempted terrorist attack, which also caused flight prices to the Far East to increase.

Conversely, some Israeli residents are currently overseas on Election Day. Racheli from Ramat Gan booked a vacation in Vietnam with her husband nearly a year before the election date was confirmed. She described missing her first vote in years as heartbreaking and called the inability of overseas Israelis to vote on election day a shame.