Hotel Occupancy Rises 23% as 70,000 Diaspora Israelis Return for Knesset Vote

An estimated 70,000 Israelis residing abroad have returned to the country or are expected to arrive before Tuesday's Knesset elections. The influx represents a substantial block of potential voters in a race that may be decided by narrow margins. While the exact number is an estimate rather than a confirmed figure, the return of these citizens has measurable economic and political implications.

The potential influence of these ballots depends on the number of votes required to secure a Knesset seat. In the 2022 election, approximately 36,000 votes were necessary to win one seat. Analysts suggest that due to population growth and higher expected turnout, the threshold for this election may rise to between 38,000 and 39,000 votes. If the contest between major political blocs is tight, the votes from returning residents could affect the distribution of seats.

Predicting where these voters will cast their ballots is difficult, as no reliable data exists on their specific political preferences. Some estimates indicate a majority may support the change bloc. However, even if 60% of the returning residents voted for that bloc, the resulting gain would likely amount to only one to one-and-a-half seats. The final impact will be determined by the official tally on Election Day.

The arrival of these voters is visible in the hospitality sector. Most returnees are combining their voting duties with family visits or short vacations, and many are staying with relatives or in vacant apartments they own. A subset has booked commercial hotel rooms, contributing to a rise in occupancy rates across major chains.

Africa Israel Hotels reported an occupancy increase of approximately 23% during the election week compared to October of the previous year. Last year's figures were influenced by a more complicated security situation, yet the current rise remains distinct. Alex Eliyahu, the chain's marketing director, noted that more Israelis are choosing to pair exercising their democratic right with a short vacation.

Fattal Hotels also recorded higher occupancy, particularly in central Israel. Maya Shalev, the chain's vice president of marketing and sales, stated that bookings are up compared to October of last year, apparently due to the elections. To attract these visitors, the chain is offering discounts of up to 30% for stays between October 25 and 29. An additional 10% discount is available for members of the Fattal and Friends club. Shalev added that bookings from abroad for these specific dates may indicate Israelis are traveling primarily to vote.

Some voters who made the trip participated in the October Council rally held at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday night. Judy, who has lived in the United States for more than 50 years, traveled from Miami to vote and plans to fly back in early November. She noted that many Israelis in Miami and Los Angeles tend to vote for the Right, but she differs from that trend. Ofer, who came from New York, said his family flew in specifically to vote and will return the day after the elections.

Nurit, from the South Sharon area, attended the rally with her son-in-law and grandson, who arrived from Canada. Her grandson, who is 18, is casting his first ballot. Zehava, who flew in from New York, said she plans to vote for Likud and had planned her visit in advance. Not all who hoped to return were able to do so, as some were stranded abroad after flydubai canceled flights following an attempted terrorist attack. One young man noted that the cancellation pushed up flight prices to the Far East.

Other Israelis who live in the country will be overseas on Election Day, though their number appears lower than that of arrivals from abroad. Racheli, from Ramat Gan, booked a vacation in Vietnam with her husband almost a year ago, before they knew the elections would fall in October. She said it is the first time she will not vote and called it a shame that Israelis traveling abroad cannot vote on Election Day.