Israel Paralyzed by General Strike Over Hostage Crisis

Israel’s labor unions have called a general strike, crippling several sectors of the country, in an effort to pressure the government to secure the release of hostages held by Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip.

The strike, which began on Monday, has brought Israel’s main air transport hub, Ben Gurion Airport, to a standstill, with the airport closing at 8 a.m. local time (05:00 GMT).

Arnon Bar-David, the head of the Israeli trade union federation Histadrut, called on all civilian workers to join the strike, emphasizing the need for the government to take action to secure the release of the hostages.

The Israeli Manufacturers Association has also expressed its support for the strike, criticizing the government for failing to return the hostages alive, which the association described as a “moral duty”.

Ron Tomer, head of the association, stated, “We cannot end the war, we cannot rehabilitate ourselves as a society and begin rehabilitation without the return of the hostages. We are torn and divided, and here is the movement to unify Israeli society.”

Tomer added, “The government must ensure that it does everything it can to bring back the hostages as soon as possible, even within the confines of a limited ceasefire, and I call on all Israeli agencies to take action to make this happen.”

The strike comes after Israeli forces recovered the bodies of 6 hostages held in Gaza, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

The Tel Aviv Municipal Services Authority has announced its participation in a half-day strike in solidarity with the hostages and their families.

The strike has brought attention to the ongoing hostage crisis and the need for the Israeli government to take action to secure the release of the hostages.