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Likud party seeks to block 'Fly & Vote' initiative for Israeli expats
As Israel approaches national elections on October 27, a political dispute has emerged regarding the participation of citizens living abroad. Tens of thousands of Israelis residing overseas are reportedly booking flights to return to the country to cast their votes.
Because Israeli law does not permit mail-in voting for ordinary citizens—limiting such privileges to diplomats and official representatives—expatriates must physically return to Israel to participate. The 'Fly & Vote' initiative, launched by the US-based America-Israel Democracy Coalition, aims to facilitate this process by using technology to find low-cost commercial flights and organizing logistics.
The Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has filed a petition with the Israeli Central Election Committee to block the initiative. Likud alleges that 'Fly & Vote' is an illegal operation funded by foreign sources and claims it could 'seriously damage the integrity of the elections.' The party expressed concerns that the return of a large number of overseas voters could influence the election results, which current polls suggest may be highly competitive between the ruling coalition and the opposition.
Entities
America-Israel Democracy Coalition · Benjamin Netanyahu · Central Election Committee · Fly & Vote · Israel · Israel Central Election Committee · Likud · Likud Party
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The 'Fly & Vote' initiative defines its mission as strengthening Israel's democratic foundations. www.haberaktuel.com · www.yenisafak.com · www.fatehwatan.ps · localnews8.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Internal polls suggest over 50,000 people plan to return to Israel to vote. www.yenisafak.com · www.fatehwatan.ps
- [● 5 SOURCES] Only diplomats and official representatives are permitted to vote from outside the country. www.haberaktuel.com · localnews8.com · kesq.com · www.yenisafak.com · www.fatehwatan.ps
- [● 5 SOURCES] Unlike most Western democracies, Israel does not allow citizens living abroad to vote by mail. www.haberaktuel.com · localnews8.com · kesq.com · www.yenisafak.com · www.fatehwatan.ps
- [● 5 SOURCES] Likud argues that the initiative could seriously damage the integrity of the elections. www.haberaktuel.com · localnews8.com · kesq.com · www.yenisafak.com · www.fatehwatan.ps
- [● 2 SOURCES] More than 35,000 Israelis have registered with the 'Fly & Vote' group. www.yenisafak.com · www.fatehwatan.ps
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Likud party claims the 'Fly & Vote' initiative is an illegal operation funded by foreign sources. www.haberaktuel.com · localnews8.com · kesq.com · www.yenisafak.com · www.fatehwatan.ps
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Likud party submitted a petition to the Israeli Central Election Committee to block the 'Fly & Vote' initiative. www.haberaktuel.com · localnews8.com · kesq.com · www.yenisafak.com · www.fatehwatan.ps