Returnees flood hotels ahead of vote

An estimated 70,000 Israelis residing abroad have returned to Israel or are scheduled to arrive before the Knesset elections on Tuesday. This influx is straining local hospitality infrastructure while adding a large block of votes to the national tally. The final count of these returnees remains an estimate rather than a precise census figure.

The political weight of this group depends on the closeness of the race. In the 2022 election, approximately 36,000 votes were required to secure a single Knesset seat. Analysts project that population growth and increased turnout will raise that threshold to between 38,000 and 39,000 votes for the current contest. If the election is tight, the votes from these returnees could determine which bloc holds the majority.

Polling the specific preferences of these voters is difficult. Some projections suggest a lean toward the change bloc, but no reliable data exists to confirm their split. Even if 60% of the returnees voted for that bloc, the result would translate to a gain of only one to one and a half seats. The final ballot count will be the only definitive measure of their impact.

The surge in arrivals is visible in hotel industry data. Africa Israel Hotels reported a 23% increase in occupancy during the election week compared to October of last year. Alex Eliyahu, the marketing director for the chain, attributed the rise to travelers combining their civic duty with leisure. He noted that many Israelis are choosing to exercise their democratic rights while taking a short vacation.

Fattal Hotels also recorded higher booking rates, particularly in central Israel. Maya Shalev, the chain's vice president of marketing and sales, said that foreign bookings for the dates between October 25 and 29 suggest a direct link to the election. To manage the surge, the company is offering discounts of up to 30%. Members of the Fattal and Friends club receive an additional 10% discount during this period.

Many of the returnees attended the October Council rally at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday night. Judy, a resident of Miami for over 50 years, flew home specifically to vote and plans to return in early November. She noted that while many diaspora Israelis in Miami and Los Angeles vote for the Right, her preference differs. Ofer, who arrived from New York, said his family traveled solely for the vote and will depart the day after the election.

Not all travel plans went smoothly. Some Israelis were stranded abroad after flydubai canceled flights following an attempted terrorist attack. One traveler reported that the cancellations drove up flight prices to the Far East. Meanwhile, Racheli from Ramat Gan, who booked a vacation in Vietnam a year ago, will miss her first vote. She described the situation as breaking her heart, noting the difficulty for Israelis traveling abroad on Election Day.