Israel is experiencing a nationwide strike, with widespread participation expected

A nationwide strike, which threatens to shut down the entire Israeli economy, is underway to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a deal for the return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

The strike was initiated by Israel’s largest labor union, Histadrut, following public outrage over the killing of six captives in Hamas tunnels under Gaza.

As part of the strike, protests have also erupted, with some demonstrators blocking a major avenue in central Tel Aviv.

Here’s who’s participating in the strike

• Municipalities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, have announced their participation in the strike, according to a list provided by Histadrut and statements from various cities.
• The list also includes several government ministries that affect a wide range of public services, including parts of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Interior Ministry, and others.
• Flight departures and arrivals at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport will be suspended for two hours starting at 8 a.m. (1 a.m. ET).
• Hospitals and healthcare centers will operate on a weekend and emergency basis, according to Histadrut.
• While Israel’s teachers’ union will not join the strike, school support staff will, potentially disrupting educational institutions. Kindergartens will remain closed if support staff are absent, and elementary and middle schools will only be open until 11:45 a.m. in the absence of staff.
• Israel’s largest universities, including the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University, will also join the strike, according to Histadrut.

Fire and rescue services, as well as special education programs, will continue to operate normally, according to Histadrut.

Workers participating in the strike may face non-payment from employers, the Ministry of Finance warned on Sunday. Under basic labor regulations in the country, wages will not be provided to those who are absent due to the strike.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has requested the country’s attorney general to seek urgent injunctions to block the strike. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for this morning.

Tel Aviv airport halts flights as part of nationwide strike

Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport will suspend departures and arrivals for two hours from 8 a.m. (1 a.m. ET) today as part of a nationwide strike, the airport confirmed to CNN.

The strike, organized by the country’s largest labor union, aims to pressure the government into securing a deal for hostages and a ceasefire. This action reflects widespread public outrage following the killing of six hostages in Gaza, whose bodies were recovered over the weekend.

Three of the victims, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, had been anticipated to be released in a future ceasefire, Israeli officials told CNN.

Israel faces growing unrest as hostage deaths increase pressure on Netanyahu for a ceasefire