If the last elections we could have votes from outside Israel, probably Liberman would have been prime minister and not Bibi, I know I would have voted for him, his saying openly what most Israelis really know is going on the ground, the peace process has always bean b******t and that in the end of the day the process is only a mean in order to get us all Jews expelled slowly out of Israel

They left the country - they don't pay taxes, and they don't serve in the army anymore - they have lost their right to vote!!!

"This law would not be an expression of democracy", said Tzipi Livni. Please explain, Mrs Tzipi. Why not let the Israeli who live or only stay for a short time abroad participate in our general elections? At the last elections, some of them came specially to Israel from abroad in order to cast their ballot. They spent a lot of money and time for this. Are they not patriotic? Why not to open voting booths in the major American and European cities? The immigrants from the former Soviet Union vote freely for the Russian, Ukrainian and Belorussian presidency in Tel Aviv without any limitations. These former communist countries seem to be more democratic now than Israel.

Too right! I couldn't agree more. Bibi would have my vote. Most of us Israelis abroard would vote for Zionist parties and this would have an affect on the status quo and the support non-Zionist parties have from those that seek to destroy us.

Of Shas I can believe anything - they believe in anything, except democratic politics. Of the rump of the once great force in Israeli politics, lead by a man best known for supreme arrogance and an inability to keep his word, all I can say is this is shameful. Firstly so many other `democracies`, `civilised societies` have ex-pat voting - the USA, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Secondly it is a nonsense to presume the voting patterns of all Israelis abroad. Thirdly it should have been a right conferred on all Israelis who choose to reside abroad, but such a long time was spent denying that there were substantial numbers of Israelis who made that choice, and treating them as if they were traitors - so fragile was and is Israelis` sense of themselves and the strength of their self- belief as a nation. This would be one small step to national maturity - regardless of the ulterior motives of the man promoting it.

Anyone who has spent a little time overseas understands the irrational simmering hatred, and distorted views of the western nations. The fastest way to get someone to the far Right of Israeli politics is sent them overseas. Poor Left they don't stand a chance of survival in the future.

The one's you are describing - which sound like they "abandoned" Israel - are a very, very small minority. The majority of Israelis outside of Israel are those who either work for a foreign branch of an Israeli company or are students. Either way, they have completed their service in the army, and based on Israeli tax laws and the reciprocation with foreign tax authorities, Israelis abroad are still obligated, and DO, pay their taxes to the State. Every other country in the West (i.e. democratic) has a policy for non-local citizens to vote in elections. I am one who went abroad for studies and still care very deeply for the well-being of Israel. As someone who put a lot of time into the State as a citizen, I DEMAND my right to be part of the process no matter where I have my bills mailed to me. Democracy is not reserved solely for people who stroll along Dizengoff!

I'm for it, but with conditions. Does a person who came as an oleh, took the sal klita and left after 2 or 3 years because Israel "didn't meet his expectations" deserve to vote? THIS is what's behind Lieberman's bill-- the large number of ex-Russians who used Israel (and Israeli taxpayer money) to move on, either back to Russia when the economic situation there got better or to western Europe and the Americas. Are these the people whose opinions should shape the country's policies? Somehow I don't think so. Even Sabras who have been out of the country for 10 years or more, know they won't be sending their children to the army and will not be accountable for the results of their vote are suspect. As a dual citizen, I file income tax returns and pay Social Security in the US, even though I haven't lived there for 40 years. How many ex-pat Israelis file Israeli income tax returns and pay Bituah Leumi? Think twice before you make unsupported claims and ask yourself the same question I do: "Would I buy a used car from this person?" I would not buy a used car from Avigdor Lieberman, Bibi Netanyahu OR Zipi Livni.

never served in the I.D.F. Also do not let them sit in the knesset or "work" in government or attend institutes of higher learning. No drivers licenses or weapons permits.

Bearing in mind the amount of Israeli Arabs, Haredim, Sarvanim etc. you'll find that according to you only a minority of Israelis will have the right to vote, study, drive etc. BTW I was a combat officer in Lebanon and did miluim every year in an infantry unit till I relocated to London 5 years ago, can I vote, drive etc according to your ideology or should I get taxis when I visit Israel?

to vote abroad. Countries with a simular population size, like Denmark, Norway and Switzerland, give their citizens the right to vote outside of their country. Then you have Canada, Britain, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and the US all giving their citizens that privilege. It's time for Israel to do the same.