Haaretz
Absentee Voting Bill Designed to Reduce Influence of Arab Israelis, Meretz Leader Warns
Knesset members from both sides of the aisle are collaborating on the bill, which would enable any citizen who is registered to vote and is in possession of the requisite form to vote at any Israeli embassy or consulate abroad. The coalition agreement of the current government includes support for such a bill. As a result, it is likely to have an automatic Knesset majority. The bill is also supported by at least some opposition lawmakers. Describing the bill as an “ostensibly limited proposal,” Galon warned opposition members who supported it that they were lending a hand to a “slippery slope that will ultimately legitimize giving the vote to Israelis living abroad.” She called on supporters of the bill from the opposition to renounce their support. “It’s inconceivable that people for whom Israel is not the center of their lives should be able to influence government policies without bearing the consequences,” she said. (Haaretz)