Net 90,000 Return to Vote

Travelers in Israel are adjusting their schedules ahead of the October 27 Knesset election. Channel 13 reported on Sunday that passenger traffic at Ben-Gurion Airport has shifted dramatically. Many residents are staying home, while others are flying back to cast ballots. This change affects the number of people entering and leaving the country in the final days before the vote.

Departures have fallen since the last general election. Between October 17 and 27, 2026, approximately 245,000 passengers left Israel. This is lower than the 270,000 recorded in the same period in 2025. In 2022, the last time a general election was held, the number reached 323,000. The decline is notable because the aviation sector now offers more flights and seats than in previous years. The data suggests that many citizens are prioritizing the election over planned trips abroad.

Arrivals show a different trend. The number of people entering the country has exceeded departures by more than 90,000 in 2026. In 2025, the gap was about 77,000. No special airlift was organized for the 2026 election. Most returning voters used existing commercial flights. This indicates a strong organic shift in travel patterns as the election date approaches.

The 90,000-person gap is a significant margin in a proportional system. Channel 13 estimated that this number equates to roughly two Knesset seats if all individuals were eligible voters who cast valid ballots. The total includes children and foreign nationals who cannot vote. Therefore, the exact impact on the final seat distribution depends on how many of these travelers actually cast ballots and which parties they support.

Israel’s electoral threshold is 3.25% of valid votes. Small shifts in turnout can determine which parties secure seats in the 120-member legislature. A survey by Fly&Vote estimated that 67,000 Israelis living abroad planned to return to vote. This figure is based on registration data and voluntary responses. It is not a confirmed count of arrivals. Most citizens abroad cannot vote remotely and must be physically present at a polling station.

The Fly&Vote initiative, run by the AID Coalition, has helped organize travel for overseas voters. Its activities faced restrictions after legal proceedings initiated by Likud. Interest in returning was visible as early as August. Organizers arranged dedicated flights from New York and Lisbon to meet demand. Alon Ben-Gurion, grandson of the first prime minister, arrived from the United States with his family. He traveled to Tiberias to vote.