自加沙战争爆发以来，离开以色列的以色列人数量创下新高。目前选民中有超过 10% 生活在国外，而该国通常不允许缺席投票：想要参加今天的大选——10 月 7 日以来的首次大选——必须亲自到场。
Since the beginning of the Gaza war, a record number of Israelis have left the country. More than 10 percent of the electorate now lives abroad, and the country generally does not allow absentee ballots: Those who want to vote in today’s election, the first since October 7, need to be there in person.
据估计，约 6.7 万名以色列侨民跨越数千英里、花费数千美元返回祖国。在以色列国内，民调显示支持总理本雅明·内塔尼亚胡的阵营与反对他的阵营势均力敌。但大多数侨民预计将支持反对派。据报道，总理的盟友曾考虑限制机场运力以减少入境人数，但航班仍然如期抵达。
An estimated 67,000 Israeli expats have traveled thousands of miles—and spent thousands of dollars—to return home. Within Israel, the polls suggest a fairly even split between the parties that favor Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and those that oppose him. But most of the expats are expected to support the opposition. The prime minister’s allies reportedly considered restricting airport capacity to limit the number of arrivals. But the flights still came.
从国外返回的以色列人表达了对本次大选的深切关注，并相信选举结果无论他们身在何处都将影响自己。许多人愿意长途跋涉，为他们相信能带来更美好未来的选项投下一票。
Israelis returning from abroad expressed feelings of deep investment in this election and a belief that the outcome will affect them no matter where they live. Many are willing to travel a long way to vote for what they believe will be a better future.
