Obviously, this is a smart move for Israel so the country can prevent turning into a Palestine. Also, it's cynical. One of the more appropriate norms was for Israeli expats to shut up in regards to Israeli politics if they or their kids don't have to serve or pay taxes here. Next step is to allow any Jew to vote from abroad.

It is a stain on Israel's democracy claims that prisoners can vote but the enormous numbers of ex pat Israelis abroad have been deprived of this right. The real democracies - USA, UK etc etc - have had ex-pat voting rights for decades. Though we have a very long way to go to catch up - and we also need a complete re-education programme on civics so that voters properly understand what they do when they put a petek in the kalfi - this is one major step in the right direction. What will be essential is checking the Teudot Zehut of ex-pat voters to ensure they are genuine.Regardless of the votes calculation by the apparent incoming government leaders, Regardless of the potential votes calculation on this by the incoming leaders, it is a good proposal.

Yisrael Beiteinu wants this to weaken the leftist and Arab parties. Still I do not want 'my side' to win political control through illicit means. Israel has many expatriates with some percentage that definitely plan to come back to Israel after a couple of years abroad. Still the fact remains that the people who do not plan to share our fate here could possibly be the ones to decide that fate by dint of being the swing vote. That is unfair and wrong. Doesn't matter if it helps the right or the left it is simply not the right thing to do.

Yigal Amir, the murderer can cast his vote. Yet, an Israeli who served in the idf , fought in wars and now lives abroad cannot. Disgracefull

Absolutely right.

Anyone living abroad can take a plane and fly in to vote. There is no need to let people who don't live here to vote.

who do you want to "tell you" how to live? Pro-Israel activists living around the world or pro-PLO activists living in Um El Fahm. I understand what you are saying of course. But there is another issue at stake too.

And I can vote in U.S. elections. So Israelis should be able to vote for Israeli elections even if they live abroad.

We paid our dues in Israel. Your narrow and provicial views are disgraceful and give Israelis a bad name. Who do you think is the lobbying for Israel, make donations, etc.? How stupid are you!?

Even though I am on the right and expat Israelis would boost political parties who think like me, I appreciate that this is the wrong thing to do. Israelis who left the country no longer pay our huge taxes, go in the army, or indeed contribute in any way to our society. They left for a better life and no longer deserve the right to choose our leaders. We are a country at war, and our situation cannot be compared to Western Europe or North America. Also, we are talking about a huge number of people, 12% plus of the electorate (the highest number of expats in the world). This cannot be compared to the number of UK and US citiizens living abroad. In any case, just because the US and UK do it, does not mean that it is the right thing to do. In the same way as having a holiday home in Netanya which you visit for a few weeks every year doesn't make you an oleh, living in the US as a yored does not give you the right to vote in our hugely important elections. I would also suggest that if you do not serve the country (in the army or national service of another type) and/or do not pay taxes, you should not be entitled to vote.

There is no way of knowing if someone who has made his home abroad 'cares' about Israel or is not selling out his vote or anything else. Of course the same argument could be made about voters living within Israel. There are some who hate this country and want to see the PLO succeed in their terror campaigns. Still they are here and will have to live the consequences of their vote. Something not true of expatriates. There are simply too many Israelis abroad and the issues too central to our existence to simply give away our fate by giving expatriates the deciding vote.

You think America gives a hoot about Israel? You are enjoying the life you are leading because of us. We pay for it.: donations, lobbying, etc. All you do is complain, keep loosing one battle after another, corruption and bureaucracy rule the country. I don't know if you are that stupid or or justy stupidly naive and paranoid. Get over yourself. I bet you both would love to become "iordim" and your views are just sour grapes.

Along with the requirement that we keep our passports valid and inform the consulates of our whereabouts and changes in personal "status" should come the right to vote, as well as a means to vote that does not make it economically difficult to vote outside Israel. Clearly one should be able to vote at any consulate, but some, like me, are miles away from the nearest consulate (in my case, San Francisco, a 2hr flight). The process should include a proxy vote procedure that enables citizens registered with any consulate to vote through it, even if remotely.

Growing up means recognising realities which you are both obviously incapable and unwilling to do. Despite the 'little Israel" Metzada complex you both represent and despite the fact that I would never vote for either bibi or yvette, their proposal to give ex pats the vote is right.

I see that the talkbackers in favour are two immature individuals who can't rise above personal invective to argue their point. One even has the gall to call himself after the great Zionist Ussishkin. Besides the sound advice that you grow up, I can only re-state. This is a position based on principle. Only people who have shown that they are willing to share in the fate of this country have a right to set that course.

I second. Israel is a Parliamentary democracy. Even though not everyone defines democracy the same they all agree on one thing: all members of the society (citizens) have equal rights to execute their power and thus decide for whom they are voting for. Period. There is no "they are allowed to but only if they..." Being a democracy means acknowledging that people abroad might have a different view but still let them execute not only their primary right but their primary duty to their country.

How can they be so sure that all expatriates will vote for the right-wing parties? Maybe the Russians abroad are not so much concern about the fate of Israel?