The National Labor Court has ruled that the motives behind the general strike are political and has issued injunctions against the participants. Court President Judge Varda Wirth Livne ordered the strike to end by 2:30 p.m. Israel time.
Histadrut is the General Federation of Labor Chairman Arnon Bar-David responded: "We live in a nation governed by the rule of law and respect the court's decision. Therefore, I am instructing everyone to return to work at 2:30 PM. It's crucial to emphasize that the solidarity strike was a significant action, and I stand behind it." Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented: "The court has accepted our position and ruled that the Histadrut's strike is political and illegal. Israeli workers who showed up for work in large numbers today have demonstrated that the era of the red booklet subjugating workers to political needs is over. We will not allow damage to the Israeli economy, which would serve the interests of [Hamas leader] Yahya Sinwar and Hamas."
Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport closed for two hours on Monday morning as part of a nationwide strike, following the recovery of six hostages' bodies from the Gaza Strip. The strike comes amid growing protests calling on the government to expedite a deal for the release of remaining captives held by the Hamas terror organization.
The airport closure, scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., was extended for several hours before a labor court ordered the unions to resume work, saying the solidarity strike to protest the death of hostages in Hamas captivity was political.
Although the strike was supposed to end at 10:00, Histadrut sources said flights were "unlikely to resume in the coming hours." Nevertheless, several planes did take off for their destinations shortly after 10 a.m. The airport closure was extended for several hours before a labor court ordered the unions to resume work, saying the solidarity strike to protest the death of hostages in Hamas captivity was political.
Earlier Monday, the government filed a request for injunctions against the nationwide strike, which was announced yesterday as part of a protest against the perceived delays in hostage deal negotiations, according to Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David. A hearing on the matter was scheduled in the Labor Court. Concurrently, protests resumed across the country, with various intersections being blocked. (Video footage later in the article shows the daughter of hostage Keith Siegel at Yakum Junction)
"The sudden strike announced by Arnon Bar-David is not related to a labor dispute, and as such, it is a political strike," stated Finance Minister and Cabinet member Bezalal Smotrich. The request for injunctions was initiated following the Finance Minister's request to the attorney general.
The government's request for injunctions against the nationwide strike argues that "according to the finance minister and prime minister's position," this is a strike that is "political, with goals that were not only not denied but openly declared. Therefore, it should not be allowed, regardless of how noble its aims may be."
The request further states that "the strike was also declared in violation of the law in that no prior notice was given as required, without appeal to the relevant authorities in the state. Due to time constraints and because the strike was declared 'from one moment to the next,' this request was written briefly. The court is asked to issue an ex parte temporary order to prevent strike damages, and to complete the argument before it orally in an urgent hearing to be scheduled, if necessary."
It is important to note that the strike is partial, as not all authorities are participating. Regarding operations at Ben Gurion Airport, these were expected to resume at 10:00 AM after departures were halted. Flights only resumed around 10:30 a.m.. The Histadrut is considering continuing the strike tomorrow. However, they indicated that they would respect any injunctions if such are decided to be issued. Meanwhile, at noon, the Supreme Court began hearing a petition filed by the Hope Forum of bereaved families and families of hostages against the strike. The petition was first reported yesterday in Israel Hayom.
