MK Efrat Rayten (The Democrats) warned on Thursday that any restrictions imposed by the Transportation Ministry that hinder Israeli citizens' ability to return to the country before the elections will be challenged in the High Court of Justice.
Rayten's warning, which came following a Haaretz report claiming that the Transportation Ministry planned to enact such restrictions to decrease potential votes against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was issued in a letter that the Knesset member shared in an X/Twitter post.
"I have now sent an urgent letter to the Minister of Transportation," wrote Rayten. "The election process cannot be torpedoed, or citizens prevented from voting!"
The letter, further addressed to officials from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Airports Authority (IAA), emphasized that efforts to portray such restrictions as operational requirements would be subject to the "strictest scrutiny."
Rayten noted that the government should already be prepared for the expected surge in demand and should be able to handle it accordingly, "as you did when there was demand for flights to Uman."
"Please take note, no further warning will be given," the letter concluded.
According to the Haaretz report, officials in the Transportation Ministry fear that many incoming voters would support opposition parties, with Transportation Minister Miri Regev being a member of Netanyahu's Likud party.
USAF refuelers disrupt Ben-Gurion Airport operations
The report came amid fears of massive flight cancellations at Ben-Gurion Airport over the Trump administration's decision to delay the relocation of US Air Force refueling tankers parked on the field, according to a July 16 statement by IAA director-general Sharon Kedmi.
"This delay has immediate and serious operational consequences," said Kedmi, with Transportation Ministry Director-General Moshe Ben Zaken adding that the Defense Ministry "must find solutions" to avoid harm to Israeli citizens.
Kedmi warned that up to 50,000 flight tickets may be canceled over the course of July, with additional USAF refueling aircraft expected to arrive.
Despite the concerns, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the delay to The Jerusalem Post at the time.
Shir Perets and James Genn contributed to this report.