Overseas Israelis Flock Home to Vote for Change, Potentially Ending Netanyahu's Premiership

Thousands of Israelis residing abroad are returning to the country to cast their votes for a governmental "change," aiming to conclude Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's tenure. This influx has led to a significant rise in overseas arrivals, with an estimated 67,000 Israelis from the US and Europe entering Israel to participate in Tuesday's election. This surge, representing a 25 percent increase over expected figures, could prove decisive in a closely contested election, as their numbers are equivalent to two seats in the 120-seat Knesset.

"We may disagree on what needs to change but we all on the flight agreed that it needs to change and that 20 years of the current leadership has been ineffective and counterproductive," stated Ben, who recently arrived from Maryland, USA. "You see so many people coming in from overseas, and you don't cross the world if you're happy with the current outcome. You're motivated because you are unhappy." An American-Israeli, who opted to withhold his last name, noted his work in the travel industry and his close observation of arrival numbers in Tel Aviv. "Passenger loads in the week leading up to the election are just astronomical – you would think it's tourist season and it's not. This is the off season."

The flight The National took from London to Tel Aviv on Thursday, which had been less than half full a week prior, was fully booked by departure, according to seat booking records. While the flight included many Orthodox Jews, the majority were secular Israelis, a demographic shift that is reportedly causing considerable concern within the Netanyahu camp. This concern may stem partly from the exposure of Israelis abroad to international criticism regarding Israel's actions in Gaza, where approximately 74,000 people have been killed over the past three years. This situation followed the Hamas attacks on October 7, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths, many in the town of Sederot, where gunfire was still audible on Friday. The distant destruction in Gaza, where a ceasefire is reportedly in effect, is also visible.

While the full impact of the significant security lapse on Mr. Netanyahu's vote share remains uncertain, it is evident that those returning from abroad are seeking a new direction. "These elections now are very critical, and it's really important that we change the government and make a change in Israel … especially after what happened in the last few years, since October 7," said Shirley Segal, whose brother had recently flown in from the US. She concurred that Mr. Netanyahu had failed the country "big time" and expressed sadness regarding the events in Gaza. "But we need to find a way to live next to Gaza," she added.

Change is necessary, according to her brother Danny Segal, because Israel requires "a different direction, a different understanding of what this country needs to look like in the next five, 10, 20 years." He believes that current policies jeopardize the concept of a Jewish homeland in Israel. "I don't know if we would be around for the next 10, 15, 20, or forever" if the current trajectory continues, he stated. "We need it to be diverse and strong, and that's one of the reasons that I came to vote." Mr. Segal emphasized the need for Israelis to learn to coexist with Palestinians, stating, "we have to, there are no two ways about it." He continued, "We are surrounded by Arab countries, so we need to understand what they need. We need to coexist in this neighbourhood." Mr. Segal, who intends to vote for the centrist party led by former prime minister Naftali Bennett, suggested that, in light of the October 7 attacks, "it will take a bit of time before we can see a Palestinian state."