Citizens whose Israeli passports have expired will be able to enter the country using valid foreign passports through December 31, after the Population and Immigration Authority accepted a request from MK Gilad Kariv (The Democrats), chairman of the Knesset Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee, according to a statement issued Wednesday.
The measure extends the existing deadline from September 30 to December 31 and is intended to make it easier for Israeli citizens abroad to return to Israel, including those planning to come to the country to vote in the upcoming election.
Kariv approached the authority amid heavy demand at Population Authority offices and difficulties faced by Israelis seeking to renew passports, according to the statement.
Passport and biometric identification services at Population Authority offices generally require appointments.
“I thank the Population Authority for this necessary decision,” Kariv said. “We will ensure that every Israeli who chooses to come to Israel and vote will be able to exercise their democratic right.”
The extension comes ahead of Israel's general election, which is scheduled for October 27. Israel does not provide general absentee voting for citizens abroad, meaning most Israelis outside the country must travel to Israel if they want to cast a ballot.
Voting overseas is limited to certain eligible officials and representatives serving abroad. The issue has already prompted a rush among Israelis abroad to arrange flights for the election.
Suspicion that Likud may work to prevent non-Likud voters from reaching home
Additionally, a July report shared by Haaretz alleged that officials from the Transportation Ministry, led by Minister Miri Regev (Likud), had “unofficially” discussed limiting flights to prevent Israelis from reaching the country in time to vote, fearing that many of the incoming voters would support opposition parties
Additionally, the Likud Party recently threatened to petition the Central Elections Committee and take legal action against the organizations behind the Fly&Vote initiative, which aims to help Israelis abroad travel to Israel to vote in the elections.
Likud has said the initiative's activities raise concerns about potential violations of election laws, particularly rules barring the provision of benefits to voters and attempts to influence how they vote.