Overseas Israelis Prepare to Return for Vote in Challenge to Netanyahu

Tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad are preparing to return to Israel to vote in Tuesday’s parliamentary elections, potentially adding a significant bloc of voters to a fiercely contested race.

Civil initiatives are leading the effort to bring expatriates home as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces intense competition from opposition parties.

The mobilisation extends the electoral contest beyond Israel’s borders, turning attention to citizens whose participation depends on making the journey back to cast their ballots.

Their votes could influence the distribution of seats in the Knesset. In a tight race, the scale of the return effort may therefore matter to both Netanyahu and his rivals.

The political impact remains uncertain, however. Preparations to travel do not establish how many overseas Israelis will ultimately vote or which parties they will support.