Tens of thousands of Israeli expats fly home to vote in seismic election

Key points

• Tens of thousands of Israeli citizens living overseas are travelling to Israel to vote in an election seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The AID Coalition estimates up to 67,000 voters are returning, with about half flying from the United States.
• Ballots can only be cast in person on election day, so political activists helped organise the trips. Polling suggests Netanyahu could face a tough challenge from Gadi Eisenkot and his newly formed Yashar party.
• Coalition talks will follow the vote, as either side needs 61 seats to form government.