The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested the closure of the only polling station in Israel due to the safety of Georgian citizens. The polling station is located in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and the ministry recommended its reopening on September 26.
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"You know that after the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, the state of Israel is in a state of war. Hostilities are occurring practically all over the country. A few days ago, the State of Israel also launched an anti-terrorist ground operation in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah locations. Furthermore, it should be noted that the territory of the State of Israel itself is under constant bombardment," stated the letter sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Central Election Commission on October 8.
The next session of the Central Election Commission is scheduled for October 11, where this issue will likely be discussed.
Immigrants believe that the real motive for closing the polling station is the opposition sentiments of the citizens living in Israel. As they noted, Georgian Dream has very few supporters there.
"What Georgian Dream says is absurd. Even when we are being bombarded, we work, and nothing stops. Everything operates in Israel. Even when Iran was firing ballistic missiles at us, everything was functioning - schools, kindergartens, everything in general.
They are doing this on purpose because they know that in Israel, most people will vote for the opposition.
It's crazy what they are doing; it's absurd. There is always war here. Everyone around me is planning to go to the elections; 95% will go, and everyone supports the opposition. I don't know a single Georgian Dream voter. They are already talking to each other and organizing transportation," Laliko Natsvlishvili, an immigrant living in Israel, told Georgian News.
At a briefing held on October 7, President Salome Zourabichvili issued a stern warning to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the CEC, and consulates not to interfere with the election processes and to ensure the right of registered voters to vote.
On September 26, the CEC adopted a resolution and, based on the data provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, established 60 polling stations in 42 countries for citizens with the right to vote outside the country's consular registration. The opposition and immigrants demanded the opening of additional polling stations, but neither the CEC nor the court satisfied their request.
