If it is important to you either: 1. live here or 2. fly in on election day and vote

Nor head-in-the-clouds Oslo peaceniks, that's why we're not allowed to vote. Not rocket science is it?

If their children's life isn;t on the line they dont have the right to decide for the rest of us

If you do not live in israel, if you are not a jew, you have no right to vote.

Any citizen of Israel can vote here in Israel, Arab, Jew, Christian.

Different countries have different voting rules Israel is not unique in not allowing absentee ballots. 100 countries do allow absentee ballots but lots of others don't, this is not a form of oppression unique to Israel and spare a thought to people living in dictatorships who never get to vote. Quit moaning because there is no utopia and also remember the government did try but failed to change the law which is all anybody can ask them to do.

I understand the principle, if you don't live there, we should not have any influence in the process. I respect that. The principle goes the other way as well, don't beg for money to support israel or attempt to influence us to affect the elections in the US. The only problem is this principle will divide us more, and I think we cant afford it, just my 2 cents.

They vote because they accepted US citizenship. Why should these Yordim have a say in Israel?

I support the present system in Israel and have problems with the US policy on absentee voting. To be able to make the right decision on issues in Israel it is important to live there and participate actively all the time, not only during the elections. This is impossible from a distance and gladly I will not vote this time. I trust Israelis will vote their conscience, without prejudices, as they have done in the past.

Bingo.

Israel's democracy is only for the left loonies (like 2 said) residing in Israel. From abroad it's too difficult for the left to determine whether you're one of them or not.

Seems to me that there is a difference between people on shlichut for instance and yordim. There probably should be some sort of absentee ballot, but only for people that are **temporarily** out of the country - say for no more than 3 years for instance. Yordim should have no rights on deciding our lives. They left. Let them stay out or come back home to live.

If they were sent to promote aliyah they should be allowed to vote just like embassy staff. They are there on national business, not like those who moved for personal reasons. That said, I personally think that there should be an option for those who are gone for short periods (business trips, post doctoral work needed to get a job in Israel, etc) should be able to vote abroad if they are gone less than 4 years (1 election cycle).

i will be going to israel to vote this year as I have done in the past.

At least that's what we tell non-Israeli Jews when we don't like what they have to say.

its even more frustrating if you're here and CAN vote. a bit like spitting into a bottomless pit (which would actually be more productive by far). it's like space - nobody can hear you shout. there's nobody there.

Many times I wish I could vote from chull. However it is right and correct that I cant, I support this even if it hurts me. If I am that desperate to vote then I can always hop on a plane and do so, though coming from as far as Melbourne Australia wouldnt make much sense. And before you jump on my case I will be there after pesach and devote 2 weeks of my short stay to Sar-El. It is not conceivable that some millions will have the power to vote and change the status in Israel whilst not bearing the brunt of their collective decision by living in chull. In USA with 100 million plus voter it has little effect. But with Israels small population then add 50% of jewish voters from abroad its not right. Imagine all the yeshiva bochurim voting whilst sitting in NY. Nah wont work. The current system is right.

If anyone wants to have a voice in Israel he should have dual citizenship and pay dual taxes. Why would anyone want to have a vote in two countries and to meddle in their politics.

The pregnant woman is the exception, not the rule. If Israelis want to vote, they hop on a plane and come home to vote. If there home is elsewhere, then the law is the law. No, Israel does not have absentee ballots or early polls. Yet. If those 11 percent feel strongly enough, then they'll lobby for new legislation. Until then, there's lots of voters here in aretz hakodesh.

Its a stain on Israeli Democracy, no matter what some Israelis think Democracy is for all citizens no matter were they are, other wise Israel should revoke citizenships

Yesh Atid and Meretz are offering free one way flights to Israel before election day. The catch is you must fly in on Shabat to qualify. Contact your local Yesh Atid or Meretz election representative for more details.

they left for whatever reason most olim do, so why should they have a vote if they didnt even want to stay in Israel. I made aliyah in the late 90's for like 2 years and have only been back to israel once, Israel just wasnt for me. Why should I be allowed to vote, i am a citizen of Israel but I havent been there in years.

If Israel gave ex-pat's the vote, the ex-pat's would out number those of us who live here. What country wants its decisions decided by people who left its borders and found happiness in another country? Want to vote? Come live here.

Because it is my right and duty as a citizen even if I live in none of them

So silly such a simple right gets held up in that circus we call the Knesset. Oy.

In othe places in the world people go to the army too. They can vote. Its realy primitive to think that if they are abroad (also on vacation, or emergency not just living) that they should'nt vote.