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A general strike threatened to shut down much of Israel on Monday as public anger erupted over the killing of six hostages in Gaza and frustration grew with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Histadrut, Israel's largest labor union, warned of an economic shutdown, with Chairman Arnon Bar-David cautioning that the country was “in a downward spiral” as the death toll mounts. In response, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport briefly halted all flights for over two hours, though operations resumed later in the morning.
The strike is the largest since March 2023, when mass protests erupted over Netanyahu’s proposed judicial reforms. Monday’s action was expected to last from morning to early evening, underscoring widespread dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s perceived inaction on securing a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement.
The discovery of the bodies of six hostages, including three who were expected to be released in a possible deal, has intensified calls for Netanyahu’s resignation. Among the dead was Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, and autopsies revealed the hostages were killed at close range. Israeli forces recovered their bodies in Rafah, Gaza, over the weekend, casting doubt on the prospects for a ceasefire.
Protests swept across Israel on Sunday, drawing tens of thousands to the streets in one of the largest demonstrations since the conflict began in October. Demonstrators continued their actions on Monday, blocking major roads in Tel Aviv and other cities, and demanding Netanyahu step down.
Amid the political turmoil, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant criticized the government for prioritizing control of a strategic border area over efforts to negotiate the hostages' release, calling it a “moral disgrace.” Divisions within Netanyahu’s cabinet have become increasingly visible, with growing public frustration over the government’s handling of the war.
In the U.S., National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with families of American hostages and emphasized the urgency of reaching a deal in the coming days.
The strike impacted various sectors across Israel, including public services, schools, and universities, though some entities, like the teachers’ union, opted out. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged Israel’s attorney general to intervene, arguing that the strike would harm the economy in wartime. A hearing was scheduled for Monday to address the issue.
The conflict remains at a critical juncture, with both domestic and international pressure mounting on the Israeli government to negotiate the release of over 100 hostages still held by Hamas.
[Information from CNN]
