Who should get to vote? Plans for 70,000 Israelis abroad to fly home for election sparks debate

A debate erupted in Israel over plans by Israelis living abroad to return for the October 27 election. It began with a column by Makor Rishon editor Kalman Libeskind, who argued that permanent expatriates should not vote. The Fly&Vote initiative, part of the AID Coalition, says 31,000 have registered, aiming for 70,000. Opposition MKs and others criticized Libeskind, citing hypocrisy and the contributions of expatriates, including reserve service.

A row over Israelis living abroad who plan to return to vote in the October 27 election spilled into the open over the weekend. It began with a Friday column by Makor Rishon editor-in-chief Kalman Libeskind, who argued that Israelis who have permanently moved abroad should think twice before flying back to help choose the country's next government. His column came as Fly&Vote, an initiative of the AID Coalition, says some 31,000 Israelis abroad have already registered with the project. The group hopes eventually to help bring as many as 70,000 voters to Israel for Election Day. Most Israelis cannot vote from abroad; they must be physically in Israel to cast a ballot. Libeskind called the effort an "immoral project," writing "Whoever doesn't live here shouldn't decide how we live here." He excluded those abroad temporarily for work or studies. Opposition MKs pushed back: Yesh Atid MK Vladimir Beliak accused him of a double standard, pointing to past encouragement of Haredi voters abroad; Democrats MK Naama Lazimi noted expatriates who returned to serve in reserves after October 7; Gilad Kariv accused him of hypocrisy. The argument also became personal inside Kan, with correspondent Dov Gil-Har challenging Libeskind. The numbers matter because small shifts in turnout could influence Knesset seat distribution.