Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport suspended all departures and arrivals for two hours starting at 8 a.m. local time (1 a.m. ET) today as part of a nationwide strike. The airport confirmed the suspension, which is part of a broader protest organized by Israel’s largest labor union, Histadrut.
The strike, which aims to shut down the “entire Israeli economy,” is a response to the government’s handling of the ongoing conflict with Hamas, specifically calling for a hostage release and a ceasefire deal. The strike underscores the widespread public anger and grief following the recovery of the bodies of six hostages from Gaza over the weekend.
Among the victims were three individuals, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who were expected to be released in an eventual ceasefire, according to Israeli officials. The discovery of their deaths has fueled the current wave of protests and intensified demands for immediate government action.
The nationwide strike is expected to disrupt various sectors across the country, with the closure of the airport marking a significant escalation in the public’s response to the crisis with businesses, schools, and municipal services are expected to be affected, as the strike aims to bring the nation to a halt.
As tensions continue to rise, the Israeli government faces increasing pressure to secure the safe return of hostages and address the growing demands for a ceasefire.
