Arnon Bar David, the leader of the Histadrut, one of the most prominent representative trade unions in Israel, has called a general strike for tomorrow, September 2nd, 2024, as a symbol of protest against Netanyahu’s government–in particular of the judicial reform–and the failure to reach a diplomatic agreement with Hamas regarding the release of hostages in Gaza.
“Starting tomorrow at six in the morning, the entire Israeli economy will go on complete strike”, stated Arnon Bar David in a press release.
The strike was triggered by the identification by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), of six hostages killed on Sunday morning in South Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged the entire population to “join a massive demonstration, demanding a complete shutdown of the country and the immediate implementation of an agreement to free the hostages.”
The strike is expected to be massive and particularly significant since the Histadrut covers and represents a total of 800,000 workers: it has already been confirmed by Arnon Bar David himself that the Ben Gurion Airport will be closed starting at 8:00 am while the entire strike will begin at 6:00 am.
Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said that the entire municipality will take part in the initiatives, and that, as a result, municipal services for the citizenry will remain closed so that employees can participate in the strike and the protests that will follow.
It is uncertain how long the protests will continue. Currently, the strike is planned to encompass the entire country for Monday, September 2nd. However, the union leader has indicated that any decisions regarding an extension will be made only tomorrow.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a member of the Religious Zionist Party and close to the Zionist-conservative right wing, harshly criticized the strike scheduled for tomorrow saying that it “goes to fulfill Sinwar’s wishes” explicitly referring to Hamas leader Yahya.
On the other hand, Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, has pressured Netanyahu to reach a negotiation that includes a ceasefire with Hamas and at the same time, the release of hostages still held in captivity in Gaza. Gallant himself, following the news of the recovery of the six hostages killed, stated on X that “It’s too late for the abductees who were murdered in cold blood” but that “The abductees who remain in the captivity of Hamas must be returned home”.
Harsh reactions also came from President Biden, who spoke with Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the Israeli American whose body was found with that of five other hostages in a tunnel in Rafah. During the conversation, President Biden expressed his condolences on behalf of the entire administration. German Chancellor Scholz through a post on X, stated that he is filled “with sadness and anger”, after the recovery of the six hostages, adding that one of those killed had “a connection to Germany” and that “Hamas are the perpetrators”.
Meanwhile, a large group has assembled outside the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem, chanting “Murderer!” and calling for the return of all hostages with the rallying cry, “Everyone! Now!”. In response, Netanyahu declared that Israel will not stop until it captures those responsible, adding that “those who kill hostages do not want to reach any form of agreement.”
As of now, thousands of people are traveling to Tel Aviv waving both Israeli flags and yellow flags, the symbol to hostage families. Some protesters also brought six coffins with them, to formally symbolize the six hostages who were found brutally dead in Rafah.
