Election Committee Dismisses Likud Petition Against 'Fly&Vote' Initiative

The Central Election Committee has dismissed a petition filed by the ruling Likud party against the AID Coalition and its "Fly&Vote" initiative, which helps Israeli expatriates return home to vote.

The petition was withdrawn on Tuesday following a recommendation by the committee chairman, Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg. During the hearing, representatives for the initiative clarified that it assists a maximum of 500 to 600 citizens, who pay full price for their plane tickets without any organizational subsidies.

Record Diaspora Engagement Ahead of Elections

Following the dismissal, representatives for "Fly&Vote" welcomed the decision, emphasizing that the initiative continues working vigorously to "turn every Israeli into an Israeli vote" and reduce barriers to the ballot box.

The decision comes against the backdrop of data published last month by the initiative, indicating record involvement among Israelis abroad. The project estimates that at least 53,000 Israelis living abroad are expected to arrive in the country to exercise their voting rights.

"The data clearly shows that Israelis living abroad are still first and foremost Israelis—involved and caring, not just in words but in deeds," said Yehonatan Bar Sadeh, president of the AID Coalition.

A comprehensive survey conducted by the initiative among roughly 17,500 expatriates revealed that 72% intend to travel to Israel on election day, while 58% have already purchased flight tickets.

Barriers and Market Changes

Data indicates that the primary barrier facing citizens wishing to vote is flight prices (58%), alongside flight availability (25%) and the security situation. In their response to the petition, the organizers noted that due to increased flight supply in the free market, they scaled back most operations, leaving only about five to six flights supported.