"We'll be the election surprise because the polls didn't count us" | Israelis flocking from abroad

Tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad have arrived to vote in the 2026 elections. A special flight from Portugal landed at Ben Gurion Airport with dozens of passengers. Voters spoke about their desire to influence the country's future, some planning to return to Israel while others feel less proud to identify as Israelis abroad.

Tens of thousands of eligible Israeli voters have arrived in Israel from abroad to vote in the 2026 elections, which will take place tomorrow (Tuesday). According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, about 810,000 eligible Israeli voters reside abroad. An estimate by the "Fly&Vote" project suggests that 67,000 people will come to vote – a number equivalent to one and a half Knesset seats. Yesterday, a special flight from Portugal landed carrying dozens of Israelis, after TAP airline canceled its flights to the country. Among the passengers was Gali Mazor Biton, who said she wants to return to the country and therefore it is important for her to have an influence. Itamar Tzukhoval, a costume designer living in Lisbon, said that in the past he was proud to identify as an Israeli but now he does so with some defensiveness. Dana Levy, who has lived in Lisbon for 23 years, said friends convinced her to come because "this time every vote counts." Additional Israelis also arrived from North America.