Israel Workers' Union cancels strike after Netanyahu suspends judicial reform

The Histadrut Labor Federation, Israel's primary worker's union, announced on Monday evening that the planned strikes and closures were canceled in light of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement that he would temporarily pause judicial reform legislation.

Israel's research universities and medical facilities also canceled their strikes, according to statements from the Israeli Medical Association and the heads of research universities. 

This follows the announcement on Monday morning that the Histadrut would coordinate a far-reaching labor strike in order to prevent the government's judicial overhaul from being enacted. The Histadrut will be joined by the nation’s health care providers, according to the Medical Association.

All this happened the day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who had called for a halt to the legal reform legislation. Netanyahu’s decision sparked massive unrest among the Israeli populace, who took to the streets in historic numbers in order to protest the seemingly dictatorial move.

During a press conference, Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar David announced the strike, stating "I call on the Prime Minister - stop the legislation before it's too late."

“We built the country together, we fought Corona together, we fought together with you to save the State of Israel, for what? We have a mission to stop this wave of legislation. We will win and stop this wave. And we will return the State of Israel to sanity,” he said.

“This is the time for us together to say 'enough',” Bar David continued, adding that the Histadrut under his leadership is “distancing itself from politics and all parties,” and that the protest of the controversial overhaul is not to be considered a polarizing political matter.

“It is impossible to polarize this nation anymore," he said. "We must return to sanity… We see, and do not believe, where we have come to. Where are we leading our beloved State of Israel, to the abyss?! So before we go to the abyss, today all of us will stop our descent!"

”I didn't want us to come to this confrontation, I tried as much as I could to avoid a strike and shutdown, but it is impossible to stay in the face of this polarization that is tearing Israeli society apart from the inside. Today we are facing historic moments and a historic strike in which the employers and workers in the State of Israel join hands together, closing the State of Israel,” he continued.

Bar David called on Netanyahu to reverse Gallant's firing

Referring to Gallant’s dismissal, Bar David called upon Netanyahu to renege his decision. “The dismissal of the Defense Minister last night turned on a red light for me,” he said. “What are we, a banana republic? What is this? Last night all the red lines were crossed, and I call on the Prime Minister to reconsider the dismissal of the Defense Minister."

In the meantime, the Medical Association announced that it would also shut down the health care system and announced "a full strike in the health care system until the announcement of a clear and serious course of negotiations, on the way to broad agreements. We will not be satisfied with stopping the legislation without more substantial content that will ensure the protection of patients' rights."

The strike will include all public hospitals and all community clinics. The Medical Association will operate an Exceptions Committee as usual and will enable life-saving treatments and services. The strike will stop as soon as a clear and agreed-upon outline for negotiations is formulated that will ensure, among other things, a stable ground for maintaining the rights of patients in the health system.

The strike will include all public hospitals and all community clinics. The Medical Association will operate an Exceptions Committee as usual and will enable life-saving treatments and services. The strike will stop as soon as a clear and agreed-upon outline for negotiations is formulated that will ensure, among other things, a stable ground for maintaining the rights of patients in the health system.

Dobi Amitai, Dubi Amitai, head of the Israeli Presidency of Business Organizations, also called for the reverrsal of Netanyahu’s decision to fire Gallant, stating: “The Defense Minister made a move for the State of Israel, and I call on the Prime Minister to immediately reinstate Yoav Galant. Yoav we will not abandon you. A whole nation is behind you. You are an example and role model. I salute you.”

Regarding the PBO’s participation in the strike, Amitai added: "This step is designed to get Israeli society out of the biggest rift that has existed here since the Yom Kippur War. We are here to call all the leaders of the parties from all factions, opposition and coalition - enter the room, the responsibility is on you! Stop this chaos now, stop the legislation today and enter into negotiations until white smoke comes out.”

“To the public I promise, on behalf of all the organizations and on behalf of all the employers, we are here, taking responsibility in order to nurse the fractures with all our strength and power,” he added.

Following the press conference, several leading Israeli organizations have announced their participation in the strike, including Startup Nation Central, a key player in Israel’s hi-tech community and industry.

“The start-up nation is at risk, Startup Nation Central is also suspending its activities. We hope to return to action soon for the benefit of the Israeli economy in a democratic country!” the company tweeted.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.