Estimate puts 90,000 Israelis living abroad now in country ahead of vote

Thousands of Israelis living abroad are returning ahead of Tuesday’s election, with travel data suggesting arrivals are outpacing departures. Bekesher estimates about 90,000 Israelis who live overseas were in the country by midday October 25—roughly 74,000 above a typical October day—and projects the number could rise to about 111,000 by election day; the company cautions that its data cannot establish why people are visiting. Separately, Ben Gurion Airport has averaged about 32,200 arrivals and 26,000 departures daily over the past two weeks, with roughly 37,000 arrivals expected Monday. The election is unfolding amid dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a tight race, though his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, also lacks a clear path to forming a government.