Likud Minister: "Those who do not live here should not come to change the government because of 'anyone but Bibi'"

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi from the Likud party stated on Wednesday that Israelis living abroad should not come to vote in the Israeli elections. "The Left is now trying to bring masses from abroad. Whoever does not live here in the country should not come just because of their 'anyone but Bibi' sentiment to try to change the government," he stated.

During an interview on 103FM radio, Karhi was asked why Israel does not allow citizens to vote from abroad, as many other countries do. He replied: "I believe that whoever lives in the country should influence its future; whoever does not live in the country is invited to make Aliyah. Every Jew is entitled to make Aliyah to Israel, to influence it, and to build it."

As the elections approach on October 27, social media has seen an increasing number of Israelis posting screenshots of flight tickets booked specifically to return to Israel for the vote. Current Israeli law does not allow most citizens to vote outside the country's borders, requiring them to physically arrive at a polling station, even if it involves long flights, taking vacation days, and incurring expenses of thousands of shekels.