Open the ballot boxes: Israelis abroad also deserve the right to vote
Decisions made in Israel affect not only its citizens, but also millions of Jews around the world, while Israel still does not allow its citizens to vote from abroad. If Israel is the national home of the Jewish people, it is time to open the ballot boxes first to every Israeli citizen wherever they are, and later to the Jews of the Diaspora.
Israel is not like other countries. It is a national home for the Jewish people, not just for those living within its borders. It is the state of the Jews.
Decisions made in Jerusalem have a direct impact on Israeli citizens, and also on millions of Jews around the world. And yet, Israel is one of the few democracies in the world that does not allow its citizens to vote remotely. While most nations understand that a citizen remains a citizen even when not physically present in the homeland, Israel closes the doors of the ballot box to them.
2026 elections for the 26th Knesset: mandate polls, bloc map and updates
"Israelis here" and "Jews there" is an artificial separation. The Jews of the world live Israel not just through newspaper headlines, but as a reality that affects their security, identity, status, and the future of their children — on campus, on the street, and in the workplace.
Four years of a right-wing government have proven how deep this influence is. When ministers in Israel talk about deportation or the atom, or when the government causes a rift with global powers, the shockwave hits Jews from Paris to New York, from London to Melbourne. Reckless talk fuels existing antisemitism and provides ammunition to the enemies of Israel.
After the October 7 massacre, the world mostly stood by Israel with a huge wave of solidarity. Instead of elected officials seizing the moment for long-term strategic action, they wasted a credit of solidarity that turned into slamming doors. Consequently, the antisemitism that was waiting around the corner surged, ranging from graffiti and verbal violence to actual acts of murder.
It is impossible to argue with the fact that the decisions of the government, its ministers, and its advisors also greatly affect the Jews of the world, and especially Israelis living outside of Israel. So where is their right to make their voice heard?
It is enough to look at the late Omer Neutra and Idan Alexander to understand how tangible this question is. Both immigrated to serve in the IDF as lone soldiers, and both were kidnapped by Hamas.
Omer fought until he was murdered. Idan was fortunate to be freed through the efforts of President Trump, but if he is at his home in the USA in 11 weeks, he will not be able to vote in the elections for the Knesset of Israel.
Even the parents of the late Captain Omer Neutra, bereaved parents of an IDF fallen soldier, remain without a voice and without the right to vote. The absurdity is heartbreaking: good enough to be drafted, to fight, to be kidnapped, and to die for the security of Israel, but not good enough to choose those who sent them there?
Hence the solution. In the immediate stage, Israel should allow every Israeli citizen and service member to vote remotely, as in most democracies: at missions abroad or via digital voting.
It is possible and appropriate to dare even beyond that: to open the ballot boxes to all the Jews of the world, even those who are not Israeli citizens. This is a radical proposal, but it stems from the fundamental concept that Israel is the national home of the Jewish people. They "pay the price" of the government's decisions in Jerusalem; they too should have a voice in determining its leadership.
The future of us all is determined at the ballot box in Israel. Voting from near and far is a vote of belonging, responsibility, mutual guarantee, and an expression of the unity between us. Open the gates to the ballot box — first to all citizens of Israel, wherever they are, and in a broader vision, to all the Jews of the world. Not just for Israel the state, but for Israel the people.
