Israel’s Largest Labor Union Announces Strike for Hostage Deal and Cease-fire

Israel’s largest trade union, Histadrut, has announced a general strike set to occur on Monday, as protests intensify across the country. Demonstrators are urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a cease-fire in light of the recent discovery of six deceased hostages in Gaza.

Arnon Bar-David, the chief of Histadrut, made the call for the strike during a press conference on Sunday. He emphasized the urgent need for a deal, stating, “We must reach a deal. A deal is more important than anything else.” Reuters reported his frustration, saying, “We are getting body bags instead of a deal.”

The strike will impact significant establishments, including Ben Gurion Airport, which is set to close at 8 a.m. local time. Municipal services in Tel Aviv will also cease operations for part of the day.

This announcement follows the confirmation from the Israeli military that the bodies of six hostages were recovered from Gaza. Among those identified was Hersh Goldberg-Polin, originally from Berkeley, California. The military reported that these hostages were killed by Hamas just before Israeli forces managed to reach them in tunnels located in the city of Rafah.

The grim news fueled further protests, with crowds demanding Netanyahu take action to negotiate a cease-fire agreement with Hamas that would facilitate the safe release of any remaining hostages. Protesters filled the streets on Sunday, chanting “Now! Now!” as they expressed their growing impatience.

Hamas launched a surprise attack in southern Israel nearly 11 months ago on October 7, which led to Israel initiating a counterassault on the Gaza Strip. Hamas has maintained control over the region since 2007. Despite rising public pressure for a cease-fire, Netanyahu has remained firm in his stance to continue military operations until Hamas is eradicated, contending that military pressure is essential for the safe return of hostages.

The ongoing conflict has led to severe humanitarian consequences, with local and international health officials reporting the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians since the escalation began in early October. Additionally, hundreds of thousands have been displaced from their homes in Gaza.

The Manufacturers Association of Israel has expressed solidarity with the strike, accusing the government of failing in its moral responsibility regarding the abducted individuals. Ron Tomer, the association’s head, stated in a translated message on social media that the return of the abductees is crucial to ending the war and enabling the recovery of Israeli society and its economy. He emphasized, “This is our moral duty as a people and as a country.”

In response to the recent events, Netanyahu issued a warning to Hamas, stating they would “pay the price” for the deaths of the hostages. He asserted, “We will not rest, nor will be silent. We will pursue you, we will find you, and we will settle accounts with you.” He also claimed that those who murder hostages are not genuinely seeking a deal.

During his statements, Netanyahu reiterated that Israel had agreed to a hostage release plan with full backing from the United States, which Hamas has allegedly refused to accept. On the other hand, Hamas has maintained it proposed the release of hostages in exchange for a halt in military actions, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Izzat al-Rishq, a senior figure in Hamas, remarked that had Israel accepted a U.S.-supported cease-fire proposal from July, the hostages would still be alive today. The contrast in narratives from both sides underscores the increasingly complex dynamics of this protracted conflict.