Israel’s first nationwide general strike since the Hamas attacks of 7 October, which was convened in support of a deal to free hostages held in Gaza, has ended after eight hours with a court order for workers to go back to their jobs.
The strike was organised amid widespread public anger at the government’s handling of the war in Gaza after the discovery of the bodies of six hostages at the weekend.
It was called by Israel’s largest trade union, Histadrut, from 6am on Monday, closing government and municipal offices as well as schools and many private businesses. Israel’s international airport, Ben Gurion, was reported to have shut down at 8am local time (6am BST) for two hours.
🇮🇱 Watch: Half a million people have marched in the streets of Israel ahead of a nationwide strike
Read more here ⤵️https://t.co/MZdLK1PpO8 pic.twitter.com/ZxzoSkznv3
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) September 2, 2024
I am not sure what the strikers hoped to accomplish. A ceasefire simply tees-up renewed Hamas treachery.
