Roads, schools and shopping centres closed, planes grounded at Ben Gurion airport… The call for a general strike launched on Sunday by Arnon Bar-David, the head of the Histadrut, Israel’s powerful trade union centre, seems to have been followed quite well on Monday morning, September 2. A mobilisation of civil society with a clear objective: to force the government of Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an agreement for the release of the hundred hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. The announcement by Tsahal earlier on Sunday of the discovery of the bodies of six new hostages who died in a tunnel in Gaza has provoked indignation.
After marching in the thousands through the country’s streets on Sunday night, protesters remain mobilized this Monday morning. The Histadrut’s call was echoed by the Israel Business Forum, which represents most private sector workers at 200 of the country’s largest companies, as well as by opposition leader Yair Lapid. To block roads and major highways in the country, or prevent access to key locations. Daycare centers, schools, middle schools and high schools will also be closed this afternoon.
The Israel Business Forum, which represents most private sector workers, as well as hundreds of technology companies, manufacturers and law firms, also joined the strike. “We are no longer one people; we are camp against camp” et “We must bring back the State of Israel”hammered Arnon Bar David on Sunday evening.
At Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, the strike notice was running until 9am French time. No take-offs, no arrivals. But according to several local media outlets present on site, departures have resumed after a two-hour interruption. The main bus companies Egged, Dan and Metropolin are at a standstill, as are the Tel Aviv tramway and the Carmelit in Haifa. The Jerusalem tramway is closed for the morning.
Grocery stores and supermarkets remain mostly open, but large shopping malls are closed. Hospitals and clinics are operating in emergency situations. Ministries, authorities and government departments are also on strike. Major banks have also closed their doors.
The government’s response was swift. The call for a general strike angered far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who called the strike illegal and said it was playing into Hamas’ hands. The Jerusalem municipality announced that it would not cooperate with the strike, as did the cities of Ashdod, Bnei Brak, and Ramle, and all municipalities and councils in the West Bank.
Benjamin Netanyahu, who is under increasing pressure to end the nearly 11-month war in Gaza by reaching a ceasefire agreement and freeing the hostages, has said the Jewish state will maintain its course until Hamas is defeated. “Anyone who murders hostages does not want a deal”he hammered home.
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