Efforts to Fly 70,000 Israeli Voters Home for Upcoming Election

The America Israel Democracy Coalition (AID Coalition), a nonprofit incorporated in Pennsylvania in 2023, is working to bring up to 70,000 Israeli citizens living abroad back to Israel for the October 27 election. According to IRS filings, the organization, founded by Jonathan Barsade, has raised at least $35 million. However, the identities of the donors remain undisclosed, as U.S. law allows for the anonymity of contributors to 501(c)(3) public charities.

The operation, dubbed 'Fly & Vote,' involves extensive logistical coordination to transport voters. While supporters emphasize the right of citizens to participate in their country's future, critics and members of the Likud party have questioned the initiative, with some alleging it constitutes 'election bribery.' Attorney Ilan Bombach has issued a warning letter, arguing that subsidizing travel costs for voters could violate Israeli election laws.

The organization's leadership, including CEO Batell Blaish-Sultanik and director Ora Peled Nakash, have backgrounds in the protest movement against the Israeli government's judicial overhaul. These political ties have led some observers, such as Ronn Torossian writing for Arutz Sheva, to express concerns regarding the transparency of the organization's motives and its potential impact on election integrity. Reports indicate that over 25,000 people have already registered for the program.

Unlike the United States, Israel does not have an absentee ballot system, requiring citizens to be physically present to vote. This legal constraint has heightened the significance of such operations in Israel's polarized political climate. While the AID Coalition states that funds were sourced from a mix of Israeli, American, and international donors, the lack of transparency regarding the donor list remains a central point of contention in Israeli media.