Nearly $4,800 is what Elin and Joshua, an Israeli couple living in Paris, paid to travel to Israel and vote in the Knesset election scheduled for October 27.
They are not alone. Social media is already filling with posts from Israelis declaring that they will fly to Israel specifically to exercise their right to vote. A ynet review examined how much it will cost to travel to Israel from major destinations around the world and what the travel industry is saying about demand for flights around Election Day.
Gallery
Israelis declare that they will fly to Israel specifically to exercise their right to vote
(Photo: Ronen Fefer / shutterstock)
Israeli citizens, it should be noted, cannot vote from abroad except in limited cases involving certain official positions. As a result, any Israeli living overseas who wishes to take part in the election must travel to Israel in person.
“As soon as the election date was announced, we knew we were both coming to Israel, no matter what it cost,” Elin and Joshua told Ynet. “We experience antisemitism every day and have seen it worsen since October 7. As far as we're concerned, every Israeli living abroad has a duty to come and vote. It cost us nearly $4,800 for both of us, so this year we gave up our family visit during the holidays. It was more important for us to come and vote.”
Elin and Joshua are not the only ones who made that decision.
Michael, an Israeli living in New York, told ynet that he waited for the election date to be announced before booking his flights to Israel.
“We're at a crossroads in Israeli politics, and it's worth the effort to try to help secure a better future for the country,” he said. “I'm still undecided about who I'll vote for, but the decision to come and have an impact feels natural and right.”
His message to other Israelis living abroad, he said, is simple: “If the country matters to you, you have an opportunity to make a difference. There's no reason to hesitate.”
'The decision to come and have an impact feels natural and right'
(Photo: Nataliya Pylayeva / shutterstock)
Alice, an Israeli living in London, said that unlike previous election campaigns, this time she plans to fly to Israel specifically to vote.
“In the past, my father traveled to Israel for every election to cast his ballot. I admit it never really interested me,” she said. “This time I checked every day to see when the election date would be announced because I feel a moral obligation to fly to Israel and vote.”
She said that since October 7 she has felt a significant change in attitudes toward Jews in Britain.
“I'm looking for a reasonably priced ticket, even if I have to connect through Europe. This time it's important for me to get there.”
How much does it actually cost?
From New York, for example, the cheapest El Al round-trip fare we found around Election Day starts at $1,576 and rises to as much as $2,371 on some dates. From Bangkok, fares range from $1,280 to $1,610.
Flights from Europe are cheaper. We found El Al round-trip fares from London starting at $997, from Paris at $860 and from Berlin at $796, although seats on some dates close to Election Day were already sold out. From Larnaca, fares start at just $157.
Other airlines offer different prices. Arkia, for example, offers round-trip flights from New York starting at $2,148 and reaching as high as $2,798, while fares from Bangkok begin at $1,298. Lufthansa offers flights from Berlin starting at $590, Air France from Paris starting at $1,218 and Wizz Air from London starting at $1,069.
Despite the attention on social media, the Israeli airlines contacted by ynet said they have not yet identified any significant change in booking volumes ahead of the election. The travel industry, however, says it is already seeing early signs of growing interest.
Shirley Cohen Orkaby, vice president of Eshet Tours, told ynet: “It's still too early to see a meaningful impact on flight ticket purchases around Election Day, but we've definitely seen an increase in inquiries over the past few days. This election is viewed as pivotal, so we expect more Israelis to return home specifically to vote, alongside a decline in the number of people planning vacations during the election period itself, unlike in previous years.”
Ilan Shalev, marketing director of the Holiday Lines Group, said that while it is still too early to identify a clear trend, there has already been a modest increase in demand for flights back to Israel.
“We're seeing a rise in demand through the booking engines of Blue Bird Airways and TUS Airways for flights to Israel from major hub destinations including Athens, Berlin and Barcelona,” he said.
According to Shalev, fares remain similar to those seen after the High Holidays.
“These are attractive early winter prices, also influenced by the end of seasonal flight schedules. At this stage, travelers can still enjoy a wide selection and competitive prices, whether they want to take advantage of the election period for a vacation or return to Israel to vote and make their voices heard.”
Nir Mazor, vice president of Aviation Links, also said Israelis are not giving up their right to vote.
Israelis are not giving up their right to vote
(Photo: AFP)
“Based on the data we're seeing, even people planning to use the election holiday for a trip abroad are adjusting their travel schedules so they can vote first,” he said. “Our booking centers are seeing demand for flights departing around midday or in the afternoon on Election Day, specifically to allow passengers to vote in the morning.”
He added that there are a few cases of passengers choosing to fly out the day before and combine Election Day with the weekend, “but this is a marginal phenomenon that does not reflect the overall picture.”
The election could also affect airline operations.
The Israeli Pilots Association has asked Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman Simcha Rothman to advance an arrangement allowing pilots, flight attendants and other aircrew members to vote at Ben Gurion Airport if they are abroad for work on Election Day.
The association warned that without such a solution, some crew members may ask to change their work schedules in order to exercise their right to vote, potentially disrupting flight schedules in the days surrounding the election.