Transportation Ministry officials plan curbing flights before Knesset elections
Transportation Ministry officials are reportedly discussing limiting flights to prevent citizens from returning to Israel to vote in the upcoming Knesset elections. Additionally, the Israel Airports Authority is warning that a freeze on US military refueling operations at Ben-Gurion Airport could lead to the cancellation of up to 50,000 flight tickets.
Why it matters
These reports raise concerns about potential voter suppression and significant logistical disruptions to international travel and defense cooperation in Israel.
Officials from the Transportation Ministry, led by Minister Miri Regev, are “unofficially” discussing limiting flights to prevent Israelis from reaching the country in time to vote, a source with knowledge of the matter told Haaretz on Wednesday.Israelis are required to vote in person in Israel with very few exceptions, such as military service or diplomats on international postings.Several organizations, including AID Coalition's Fly & Vote initiative, aim to add flights in the days preceding the Knesset elections, planned for October 27, in order to allow as many Israeli citizens to vote as possible.Transportation Ministry officials have expressed worry that many of the incoming voters would support opposition parties, according to Haaretz.Transportation Minister Miri Regev is a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party.The Jerusalem Post reached out to the Transportation Ministry for comment.US military refuelers remain…
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