Legislative elections in Israel: Netanyahu's party contested travel aid for expatriates returning to vote

To slip a ballot into a ballot box, some Israelis must first buy a plane ticket. The rule is demanding, but leaves little choice: with exceptions notably concerning diplomats and certain agents on mission, Israel does not allow its citizens to vote from abroad. Tens of thousands of them therefore considered taking the plane to vote this Tuesday, October 27. Their right to participate in the vote is not contested. The help provided to organize their return, on the other hand, occupied the country's central electoral commission a few weeks ago.

At the origin of the dispute, Fly&Vote, a program intended to facilitate the return of Israelis established abroad, in connection with airlines and travel agencies. It is supported by AID Coalition, a non-profit association based in the United States, resulting from the 2023 mobilization against the judicial reform of the Benjamin Netanyahu government. The organization, however, declares itself to be non-partisan, affirms that it does not support any candidate or party, and ensures that travelers pay their own expenses. Six flights were thus proposed. On September 16, Likud, the party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, contacted the central electoral commission, responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the vote, to contest this assistance.

Likud reservations

The appeal did not relate to the right of expatriates to vote, but to the means used to bring them here. According to Likud lawyer Ilan Bombach, reservation assistance, price reductions and ancillary services could constitute advantages prohibited by electoral legislation, likely to encourage their beneficiaries to vote for the opposition parties to Benyamin Netanyahu. He also questioned the intervention of an organization established abroad.

On October 6, the procedure ended with a compromise before Judge Noam Sohlberg, president of the central electoral commission. Likud withdrew its appeal; in return, AID Coalition has undertaken not to subsidize any tickets, not to grant any discounts and not to organize additional flights. The six already announced are maintained, at the prices set by the airlines. The agreement also limits additional services, including transport and accommodation. The association must finally pay 10,000 shekels for Likud’s legal costs. The latter claimed a legal victory, while the organizers stressed that they could still continue their activity.

Facilitate without financing

It remains to be seen how many Israelis established abroad actually made the trip: in these elections which are expected to be close, their votes could influence the result. On October 22, Fly&Vote estimated the number of expatriates planning to return to vote at around 67,000, compared to 53,000 at the start of the month. For travelers, one obligation remains: to be present in Israel on election day, this Tuesday, October 27.