Histadrut Labor Federation chief Arnon Bar-David declared a general strike on Sunday afternoon over the government’s failure to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza. He stated that “a deal is more important than anything else,” in light of mounting outrage over the killing of six captives by Hamas.
During a press conference in Tel Aviv, Bar-David said that the action — the union’s first foray into politics since October 7 — will start at 6 a.m. and is currently planned as a one-day strike, with decisions beyond Monday to be made later. (It was also announced that Ben Gurion Airport would be shut down at 8 a.m., with all incoming and outgoing flights canceled, but reports later Sunday indicated the airport could function as usual, and passengers were advised to check for updated information.)
“It is impossible to stand idly by in the face of the cries of our children who are being murdered in the tunnels in Gaza. It is unacceptable,” he declared after meeting with representatives of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum — which earlier Sunday called on the public “to join a massive demonstration, demanding a complete shutdown of the country” and appealed to the powerful Histadrut to stage a mass strike.
The call angered the government, with far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich branding the strike illegal and saying that the union was playing into the hands of Hamas. Several cities and municipalities announced they would not take part.
The Histadrut’s call was taken up by the Israel Business Forum, which represents most private-sector workers from 200 of the country’s largest companies, as well as Opposition Leader Yair Lapid.