The Knesset passed on first reading yesterday a private members bill that would permit Israelis living abroad for fixed periods of time to vote by absentee ballot in national elections. At present, that privilege is extended only to Israeli seamen whose jobs require them to be away from home for long periods of time.
The measure was introduced by Dr. Boaz Moav, MK of the recently former. Yaad faction and was referred to committee despite opposition from Interior Minister Yosef Burg. The bill is required to pass two more Knesset readings before it can become law. It was reported that the Foreign Ministry will propose a similar measure that would increase prospects of voting rights for Israelis living abroad in the next general elections due to be held in 1977.
Dr. Moav maintained that the voting privilege should be extended to students and other Israelis holding valid Israeli passports and living abroad but not to “yordim”–expatriates who left Israel with no intention of returning but hold on to their Israeli passports as a formality.
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