70,000 Israelis Return For Tuesday Vote

Approximately 70,000 Israelis living abroad have returned to the country or are expected to arrive before Tuesday's Knesset elections. Officials describe this figure as an estimate because precise numbers are not yet available. If the race between major political blocs remains tight, these ballots could influence the final count.

The potential impact of these voters depends on the threshold required to win a seat. In the 2022 election, a party needed roughly 36,000 votes to secure one Knesset seat. Analysts expect that number to rise to between 38,000 and 39,000 votes this time due to population growth and higher turnout.

Political observers struggle to predict which parties these returnees will support. Some estimates suggest a majority may favor the change bloc, but no reliable data exists on their specific preferences. Even if 60% of these voters choose that bloc, the result would add only one to one and a half seats to its total. The final election results will determine if these votes shifted the balance.

The influx of travelers is visible in the hospitality sector. Many visitors are combining family visits and vacations with Election Day. A large portion stays with relatives, friends, or in apartments they own locally. However, hotel chains are reporting a surge in bookings from this group.

Africa Israel Hotels reported a 23% increase in occupancy during election week compared to October of last year. That previous period was marked by a more complicated security situation, making the current rise stand out. Alex Eliyahu, the chain's marketing director, noted that more Israelis are choosing to pair exercising their democratic right with a short vacation.

Fattal Hotels also saw higher occupancy, particularly in central Israel. Maya Shalev, the vice president of marketing and sales, stated that bookings are up compared to last October. She attributed the increase to the elections. The chain is offering discounts of up to 30% on rooms, with an additional 10% off for members of its loyalty club, for stays from October 25 to 29. Shalev suggested that bookings from abroad for these dates may indicate voters returning to cast ballots.

Individual travelers shared their reasons for making the trip. Judy, a resident of Miami for more than 50 years, said she will fly back in early November after voting. She noted that many Israelis in Miami and Los Angeles vote for the Right, but she aligns with the other side. Ofer, who came from New York, said his family flew in specifically to vote and will return the day after the election. Nurit, from the South Sharon area, attended a rally with her son-in-law and grandson from Canada. Her 18-year-old grandson 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 everyone who intended to return was able to do so. Some Israelis 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 who live in Israel but are overseas on Election Day face the opposite problem. Racheli, from Ramat Gan, booked a vacation in Vietnam with her husband almost a year ago. She said it will be the first time she does not vote, calling it a shame that Israelis traveling abroad cannot vote on Election Day.