Elharrar in a sharp appeal to Solberg: What steps will be taken to ensure the arrival of voters?

Following the disruptions in the operations of Ben Gurion Airport, Member of Knesset Karine Elharrar of the "Yesh Atid" party has urgently appealed to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Solberg, demanding preparations to ensure the continuity of flights ahead of election day.

As previously reported, on Thursday, unusual congestion was recorded at Ben Gurion Airport. According to an internal message obtained by "HaYom", staff at the airport were instructed to stop check-ins for upcoming flights after the baggage sorting system reached a state where it was unable to accept additional luggage.

Against the backdrop of the unusual disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport in recent days, Elharrar warned in a letter to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee that, unlike state representatives and certain office holders, most Israeli citizens staying abroad are not permitted to vote outside of Israel. Therefore, the only way for them to exercise their right to vote is to return to the country and vote at the polling station where they are registered.

According to her, flight disruptions in the days leading up to the elections could leave eligible voters outside of Israel, thereby effectively preventing them from participating in the democratic process:

"Any restriction or disruption of the flight schedule around the election date constitutes a severe blow to the integrity of the elections, the principle of equality, and the fairness of the entire process," Elharrar wrote to Solberg.

Elharrar requested to know what steps are being taken, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, to ensure, as much as possible, the regular operation of Ben Gurion Airport and the arrival in Israel of citizens wishing to vote. She also requested to examine solutions and preparations for the event that the disruptions continue or worsen around election day.