Likud Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi on Wednesday criticized Israelis living abroad who are planning to travel to Israel specifically to vote in the upcoming election, urging them not to return solely to help remove Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu from power.

“The left is now trying to bring masses of people from abroad,” Karhi said in an interview with Radio 103FM. “Anyone who doesn’t live here in the country shouldn’t come just because of their ‘Anyone But Bibi’ agenda to try to replace the government.”

Asked why Israelis should not be permitted to vote from abroad, as citizens of some other countries are allowed to do, Karhi said those who live in Israel should be the ones determining its future.

“I think whoever lives in the country should influence its future,” Karhi said. “Anyone who doesn’t live in the country is welcome to make aliyah. Every Jew is entitled to make aliyah, influence it and build it.”

Israel’s election is scheduled for October 27. Under Israeli law, most citizens cannot vote from overseas, meaning eligible Israelis living or traveling abroad generally must physically return to Israel if they want to cast a ballot.

The issue has become increasingly contentious in recent days as Israelis living overseas have posted screenshots on social media showing airline tickets they purchased to return for Election Day.

Earlier this month, Likud petitioned the Central Elections Committee over an initiative offering free accommodations to voters traveling from abroad, arguing that the arrangement amounted to an improper benefit intended to influence voters.

Meanwhile, some Israelis living overseas have complained that they have struggled to receive clear information from the Interior Ministry about whether they are registered on the voter rolls and where they are assigned to vote.

Some also said a government chatbot did not allow them to verify whether they were registered or determine their designated polling station.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)