Diaspora Vote: 70,000 Returnees Return to Israel

An estimated 70,000 Israelis living abroad have returned to Israel or are expected to arrive before the Tuesday Knesset elections. This surge in voters could alter the outcome if the race between political blocs remains tight. The figure is an estimate, as no precise count of returnees exists.

A single Knesset seat requires roughly 36,000 votes, a threshold set in 2022. Analysts project that population growth and higher turnout will raise the cost to between 38,000 and 39,000 votes this time. If 60% of the 70,000 returnees vote for the change bloc, that group would gain between one and one and a half seats. Only the final results will determine if these ballots shifted the balance.

Hotel data confirms the influx. Africa Israel Hotels reported a 23% increase in occupancy for election week compared to October of last year. Alex Eliyahu, the chain's marketing director, said guests are combining their trip with a short vacation. Fattal Hotels also sees higher bookings, especially in central Israel. Maya Shalev, the vice president of marketing and sales, noted that discounts of up to 30% are available from October 25 to 29. She said foreign bookings for those dates suggest many travelers are coming to vote.

Many returnees are staying with relatives or in apartments they own. Those who do book hotels often pair their civic duty with family visits. The political leanings of these voters are unclear. Estimates suggest a majority may support the change bloc, but no reliable measure of their preferences exists.

Tens of thousands attended the October Council rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday night. Several attendees said they traveled specifically to vote. Judy, who has lived in the US for 50 years, said she flew from Miami and will return in early November. She noted that many Israelis in Miami and Los Angeles vote for the Right, but she does not. Ofer, from New York, said his family flew in to vote and will leave the day after the election.

Nurit from the South Sharon area attended the rally with her son-in-law and grandson. Her grandson, 18, is voting for the first time. Zehava, also from New York, said she plans to vote for Likud and planned her visit in advance. Not all returnees had smooth travel. Some were stranded abroad after flydubai canceled flights following an attempted terrorist attack. One young man said the cancellations pushed up flight prices to the Far East.

Others living in Israel will be overseas on Election Day. Racheli from Ramat Gan is in Vietnam with her husband. They booked the vacation a year ago, before the election date was known. She said this will be the first time she does not vote. She called it a shame that Israelis traveling abroad cannot cast ballots on Election Day.