Voters Fly to Israel to Cast Ballots
American citizens with Israeli passports face a logistical hurdle to participate in the election, requiring travel to their home country.
By Aiko Brooks ·
Ari Charlestein landed at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv on a Tuesday afternoon.
He did not fly to Israel for a vacation. He traveled solely to vote in the national election. Charlestein, who owns the travel company Competitours in Bala Cynwyd, is a citizen of three countries: Canada, Israel, and the United States. He is scheduled to fly back to Philadelphia on Friday. There is no mechanism for Israeli citizens to cast ballots from abroad unless they are on an official consular mission.
The absence of an absentee voting process creates a specific frustration for expatriates. Charlestein noted that even Israeli pilots and flight crews cannot vote if they are scheduled to be overseas on Election Day. "Unless you are working in a consulate or in consular affairs and currently on a mission, you are not eligible to vote abroad," he said. He described the situation as very frustrating for those living outside the country.
Israel operates under a parliamentary system where citizens vote for one of 34 parties rather than an individual candidate. Charlestein voted for the Yashar party, which is led by former Israeli Defense Force chief of staff Gadi Eisencot. He cited Israel’s security and a 2024 government order mandating ultra-Orthodox military participation as his two most important issues. In this system, the parties with the most seats attempt to form a coalition to govern.
The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, has 120 seats. A ruling government requires at least 61 seats. This structure means that months of negotiations often follow the initial vote before a full government is established. Charlestein explained that if a party becomes the ruling party, voters know who will be prime minister, but otherwise, the outcome of coalition talks remains unknown until the process is complete.
Charlestein said he could not bring himself to vote for Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. He argued that after 15 years in power, Netanyahu has surrounded himself with allies who are far to the right. "He wants to be in control and keep his power and potentially stay out of prison," Charlestein said. He added that while he and Netanyahu may have agreed on many political things before October 7, the current dynamic is defined by greed and selfishness.
Other voters in the Philadelphia area share this sentiment. Susan, a retired school psychologist who splits her time between Bala Cynwyd and Israel, voted for the Democrats party. She said she knows several other residents who traveled to vote against Netanyahu. "It’s time for his greed and corruption and unchecked power to end," she said. Susan criticized Netanyahu for not taking responsibility for October 7, noting that other leaders resigned while he remained in office.
Not every voter from the region opposes the prime minister. John, a homeowner in Gladwyne who is currently in Jerusalem for a month, voted in favor of Likud. He described Netanyahu as a true statesman and a real leader. "Everyone wants to destroy Israel," John said. "No one can protect us like Netanyahu. I’m happy with my vote."
The election results will determine the next phase of political negotiations in Israel. While some voters like Charlestein see a need for change in both the United States and Israel, others maintain that the current leadership provides necessary stability. The travel required to participate in the vote underscores the unique position of Israeli citizens residing abroad.
