Israelis abroad fly home to vote, posing threat to Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks as he meets members of the public at a mall, ahead of Israel’s national election, in Ramla, Israel, on Monday. | REUTERS

Oct 21, 2026

In 15 years abroad, Lital Lee Doron has returned to Israel to vote only once. This week, she’s flying home in the hope of ousting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The October 2023 Hamas attack and the attempts by Netanyahu’s government to overhaul the judiciary have both served as a wake-up call, according to the 35-year-old tech sales professional, who plans to vote for the opposition.

“People think election results only affect those living in Israel, but they impact Israelis abroad just as much,” Doron said by phone from Barcelona Airport, on her way to Tel Aviv. “We went from an admired nation to an ostracized state.”

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