Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 02-09-2024

Israeli media cite a source within “Israel’s” main labor union as saying that the Histadrut is considering extending the strike into Tuesday as well.

A one-day labor strike has commenced in “Israel” following the main labor union’s declaration Sunday in response to the failure of the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the release of captives held in the Gaza Strip through a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.

The strike was called for by the Histadrut labor union to pressure the Israeli government into finalizing a prisoner exchange agreement with the Hamas movement in Gaza after the Israeli military announced the discovery of the bodies of six captives in a tunnel in the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza Strip.

The strike, which affects schools, universities, Ben Gurion Airport, public transportation, and a wide range of economic sectors, follows massive demonstrations staged by Israeli settlers demanding the retrieval of the captives.

Among the facilities participating in the strike are municipalities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, government ministries that impact a range of public services, including parts of the prime minister’s office, the Interior Ministry, and others, and “Israel’s” biggest universities, including the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University, according to Histadrut.

While the Israeli teachers’ union said it would not join the strike, the school support staff would, which may impact educational institutions.

Ben Gurion in lockdown

According to the Israeli Channel 13, Ben Gurion Airport is closed to departing flights, with operations expected to resume after several hours, and flights are likely to be dramatically affected in the coming days.

The airport was supposed to be closed for two hours starting at 8 am, however, it may be extended past 10 am despite intense pressure from the government to resume operations, unnamed airport officials tell Channel 12 news.

Currently, flights are not departing the airport, and checked baggage is not being put on planes.

Banks disrupted

Bloomberg reported that several major banks in “Israel” were also expected to close, though the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange is expected to remain open. Government ministries, local municipalities, postal services, and universities are also slated to shut down.

Meanwhile, the attorney general of “Israel” petitioned the Labor Court to rule against the strike declared by Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David, Israeli media reported.

The petition requests the court decide that the strike is not one “for a collective labor dispute, and is, therefore, a political strike.”

However, Israeli media cited a source within the Histadrut as saying that the union is considering extending the strike into Tuesday as well.