The Histadrut labor federation will not join the hostages’ families strike, it announced on Monday.
This was decided following a meeting between Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David, senior business sector leaders, and representatives of the hostage families.
Bar-David, who requested to meet with the families to explain his decision to refrain from a general strike, expressed concern that the Histadrut’s involvement at this time would shift the public discourse surrounding the return of the hostages toward political directions.
“If I knew that a strike, not just for one day but longer, would resolve the issue – stop the war and bring back the hostages – I would go for it with all my strength. Unfortunately, and despite my heart bursting with frustration, it is not feasible.”
The chairman did commit to calling on management and worker committees to allow any employees who wish to participate in the protest events and solidarity rally scheduled for August 17.
The Histadrut represents 800,000 workers.
Decision to occupy Gaza City
At a press conference in front of the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, families represented by the October Council said that Sunday, August 17, would mark a nationwide shutdown in protest of the security cabinet’s decision to occupy Gaza City, which they say endangers the lives of the hostages and soldiers.
The families said the shutdown is expected to include private companies, organizations, and labor unions.
In July of last year, Bar-David threw his support behind a march planned by family members of hostages and called on the Israeli public to join them. Bar-David also said he would supply the march with resources and appointed a senior team to accompany marchers and organizers.
Last Friday, the security cabinet approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to occupy Gaza City and adopted five principles for ending the war.
These include disarming Hamas, returning all hostages, both living and murdered, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, maintaining security control over Gaza, and the existence of a civilian government that is not controlled by either Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
Hostage families and Israeli opposition figures criticized the plan, calling it “a disaster” that would endanger the remaining hostages in terrorist captivity.