Following the news of six hostages’ murder in Hamas captivity and the Israeli government’s continued failure to reach a hostage release deal, Histadrut Chair Arnon Bar-David announced today a general strike of Israeli industry. “Being a bystander is no longer possible,” Bar-David said. “That Jews are murdered in tunnels in Gaza is unreasonable. We need to come to a deal. A deal is more important than anything else.”
Bar-David said that he had spoken with many Israeli politicians and members of the security services about the reason a deal still has yet to be reached, even as more than 100 hostages remain in captivity. “A deal is not being reached because of political considerations, and this is unacceptable,” he said. “We need to put an end to the abandonment of the hostages, the displaced, the crashing economy.”
The 800,000 or so members of the Histadrut, representing around 20% of the Israeli workforce, are set to strike tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. Ben Gurion airport will close at 8 a.m.
The full list of industries on strike will be released later on.
The Hostage Families Forum expressed its strong support for the strike. “The social, economic, and local leadership once again proves its leadership ability, in contrast to the state’s leaders, and stands alongside the hostage families, alongside the public, and alongside the value of solidarity and mutual responsibility.”
The forum added that the strike is meant to put pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet to reach a deal to return the hostages.
The teachers union announced that preschools would be closed tomorrow and that elementary schools will operate until 11:45 a.m. Special education, including preschools, will operate as usual.
