Driving democracy to the ground: Don't make it harder for Israelis abroad to vote – opinion

Josh Drill, a former Golani officer, argues against reported plans by Israel's Transportation Ministry to restrict flights for Israelis abroad before elections, allegedly to prevent them from voting against Prime Minister Netanyahu. He calls the effort 'disgraceful and undemocratic,' citing the burden of travel and the contrast with US absentee voting. He urges transparent slot allocation and scrutiny by legal authorities.

In an opinion piece, Josh Drill, a former Golani officer and peace builder now studying in New York, argues against reported government efforts to restrict flights for Israelis abroad before elections. He cites reports that Transportation Ministry officials, under Minister Miri Regev, discussed limiting non-scheduled flights and airport slots, allegedly to prevent Israelis from voting against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Drill, who organizes Israelis in New York to fly home to vote, calls this 'disgraceful and undemocratic,' noting the burden of travel and the contrast with the US absentee voting. He mentions recent polling placing Netanyahu's bloc below 61 seats and the October 7 failures as reasons for the government's fear. He urges the Transportation Ministry and Israel Airports Authority to ensure transparent slot allocation, and the attorney general and Central Elections Committee to scrutinize any restrictions. He also frames the act of voting as a personal and collective step toward healing and long-term return to Israel.