The Likud party has requested that the Election Committee prohibit Israelis from freely hosting or providing logistical support to Israeli citizens flying into the country in order to vote, Channel 12 reported on Tuesday.
In a letter from Likud legal adviser attorney Ilan Bombach to the Election Committee, Bombach states that the goal of the prohibition would be to prevent bribery and other forms of undue influence on voters.
Transportation Ministry discussing limiting flights for Israelis coming to vote
Earlier this month, Haaretz reported that officials from the Transportation Ministry, led by Minister Miri Regev, were “unofficially” discussing limiting flights to prevent Israelis from reaching the country in time to vote.
Transportation Ministry officials have expressed worry that many of the incoming voters would support opposition parties, according to Haaretz.
Later, MK Efrat Rayten (The Democrats) warned that any restrictions imposed by the Transportation Ministry that hinder Israeli citizens' ability to return to the country before the elections will be challenged in the High Court of Justice.
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel also sent an urgent appeal to Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg, acting Central Elections Committee director-general attorney Din Livne, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, and Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara, demanding immediate action to halt any initiative that could impair Israeli citizens’ ability to reach Israel and vote.
The letter further asked the officials to ensure that citizens are permitted to enter the country close to the election date.
Shir Perets, James Genn, Udi Etzion, and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.