Opposition Leader Returns From Exile, Massive Crowds Gather Amid Uncertainty Over Democracy — SkimNews
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- Israeli expatriates are flying back to Israel in unprecedented numbers, with an estimated 67,000 returning from the US, Europe, Canada, and Australia to vote in the October 27 election.
- Israel holds its sixth election in seven years on October 27, marking the first full-term election since 1988 and a pivotal moment in a political deadlock.
- Benjamin Netanyahu faces a tough re-election bid in a dead-heat race, with national security and the ongoing war central to voter concerns.
- Expatriate voters may influence up to two key parliamentary seats, creating significant political implications for Netanyahu's Likud Party despite their small overall share.
- Israeli law prohibits absentee voting for citizens abroad, requiring expatriates to cast ballots in person, a restriction that has driven costly personal returns.
Why it matters: The return of 67,000 expatriates highlights the intensity of voter engagement in a dead-heat election where every seat counts. Their impact could shift the balance in Netanyahu’s favor or deepen political paralysis, making this one of the most consequential elections in Israel’s recent history.
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