Iran is witnessing a widespread return of its citizens from around the world to participate in the October 27 elections. This election is widely regarded as an assessment of Benjamin Netanyahu's government and its performance during nearly three years of war in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon. Statistics indicate that this election will be closely contested.
Returning Home to Vote
Liran Naman, an Israeli citizen who has lived in Amsterdam for 11 years, has spent 800 euros (nearly 900 dollars) to vote in this election. He emphasized the importance of this election, stating: "This time my participation is more important than ever. The performance of our government is harming me and other Israelis living abroad."
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More than 50,000 Israelis are expected to travel home to cast their votes in this election. This figure has been reported by the Relief Coalition, a U.S.-based NGO that supports democracy in Israel.
Challenges of Voting from Abroad
Iran is one of the few democracies that does not allow its citizens to vote from abroad. The Relief Coalition has launched a non-partisan initiative called "Fly and Vote" to support Israelis living abroad. This program includes providing information about polling locations and identification requirements, and also assists in arranging travel by purchasing commercial flight seats and reselling them.
Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party filed a complaint with the Israeli Central Elections Committee in early September, accusing the Relief Coalition of electoral fraud. However, the head of the Relief Coalition, Jonathan Barsadeh, dismissed the accusation as baseless and emphasized that the organization does not provide any financial incentives.
Despite criticisms from some Israelis regarding the lack of voting at embassies, Naman points out that returning home to experience the realities of the country before voting is essential. He said: "Even when my family and friends come to Amsterdam, they are always worried that Europe is falling apart."
This election is seen as an opportunity to influence how Jews and Israelis are perceived in today's world, especially at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise. Ginger, a startup consultant, feels a responsibility to impact Israel's relations with other countries through her vote, stating: "This election will affect how the world views us."
Aryla Hanker, a research scientist in Dallas who grew up as a committed Jew in the United States, also highlighted the importance of voting in this election, saying: "I am concerned about the future of a strong and democratic Israel and do not want to blame myself for inaction."
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