Knesset Election: 70,000 Returnees Arrive to Cast Votes

An estimated 70,000 Israelis residing abroad have returned to the country or are scheduled to arrive before the Knesset elections on Tuesday. The figure is an estimate, and no precise count exists, but the volume of returning voters could impact the final seat allocation if the race between political blocs is tight.

The potential influence of these votes depends on the number of ballots required to secure a single Knesset seat. In the 2022 election, approximately 36,000 votes were necessary to win a seat. With population growth and higher expected turnout, analysts suggest the threshold may rise to between 38,000 and 39,000 votes this time.

Predictions regarding which parties the returnees will support vary. Some estimates indicate a preference for the change bloc, though reliable data on their political leanings is limited. Even if 60 percent of the 70,000 returnees vote for that bloc, the gain would translate to at most one to one-and-a-half seats. The final impact will depend on the overall margin of victory.

The influx of voters is visible in the hospitality sector, where many are combining family visits and vacations with Election Day. While many stay with relatives or in owned apartments, hotel chains have reported increased bookings. Africa Israel Hotels noted a 23 percent rise in occupancy during election week compared to October of last year. Alex Eliyahu, the chain's marketing director, stated that more Israelis are pairing their "exercising their democratic right with a short vacation."

Fattal Hotels also reported higher occupancy, particularly in central Israel. Maya Shalev, the vice president of marketing and sales, said bookings are up compared to October last year, "apparently due to the elections." To accommodate the surge, the chain is offering discounts of up to 30 percent, plus an extra 10 percent for members of its "Fattal and Friends" club, from October 25 to 29. She noted that bookings from abroad for these dates may indicate voters returning specifically to cast ballots.

Some of the returnees participated in the October Council rally at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday night. Judy, a resident of the United States for more than 50 years, traveled from Miami to vote and plans to fly back in early November. She said, "Many Israelis living in Miami and Los Angeles tend to vote for the Right. I'm different, and I'm not alone." Ofer, who came from New York, said his family flew in specifically to vote and will return the day after the elections.

Other voters have made similar short-term trips. Nurit, from the South Sharon area, attended the rally with her son-in-law and grandson, who arrived from Canada. Her grandson, age 18, is voting for the first time. Zehava, who flew in from New York, said she plans to vote for Likud and planned her visit in advance.

Not all planned trips were completed. Some Israelis were stranded abroad after flydubai canceled flights following an attempted terrorist attack. One young man said the cancellation pushed up flight prices to the Far East. Conversely, some Israelis living in the country will be overseas on Election Day. Racheli, from Ramat Gan, booked a vacation in Vietnam with her husband almost a year ago, before the election date was finalized. She said, "This will be the first time I don't vote. It breaks my heart," adding that it is a shame Israelis traveling abroad cannot vote on Election Day.