Tens of thousands of Israelis abroad fly home ahead of pivotal Tuesday vote

Summary

Israelis are preparing to vote on Tuesday, October 27. Because they cannot vote from abroad, tens of thousands of citizens living overseas are flying in from across the world to cast their ballots. Reporting from Ben Gurion Airport describes a carnival atmosphere as travelers arrive, with opposition bloc lawmakers and activists out in force while coalition representatives were nowhere to be seen. The Times of Israel reports that some 60,000 non-residents are exercising their civic duty this way.

Timeline

1. France 24

   26 Oct 2026, 14:20 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Israelis are preparing to vote on Tuesday, October 27, and that tens of thousands of expatriate citizens, who cannot vote from abroad, are flying in from across the world to cast their ballots, with its correspondent Noga Tarnopolsky meeting some of them at the airport.

2. The Times of Israel

   26 Oct 2026, 14:57 UTCSource ↗

   The Times of Israel reports a carnival atmosphere at Ben Gurion Airport as thousands of Israelis come home to vote, with opposition bloc lawmakers and activists out in force, coalition representatives absent, and some 60,000 non-residents exercising their civic duty.