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Israel set for strike paralysis Israel gripped by general strike
(about 1 hour later)
Israel is expected to grind to a halt as trade unions begin a general strike in protest at the failure of local authorities to pay workers' salaries. Israel's main trade union has launched an open-ended general strike which threatens to bring transport and public services across the country to a halt.
The labour federation, Histadrut, said the strike would affect a wide range of public services including Israel's only international airport in Tel Aviv. Flights at Israel's only international airport, Tel Aviv, were cancelled as the strike came into force at 0900 (0700 GMT) after talks failed.
However, airport workers will remain on duty for a single incoming flight - carrying the England football team. The stoppage was called by the powerful Histadrut union over local authorities failing to pay workers' salaries.
They are due to play Israel in a Euro 2008 qualifying match on Saturday. The action affects government offices, firefighters, buses and railways.
The strike was set to begin on Wednesday at 0600 (0400 GMT) and to continue indefinitely.
However, the start was set back for three hours to allow for last-minute negotiations.
The action would affect government offices, firefighters, buses and railways, unions said.
In the past, such strikes have effectively brought normal business in Israel to a halt.In the past, such strikes have effectively brought normal business in Israel to a halt.
Football concession
Israeli media reports that the national labour court is convening to consider a government request that it issue restraining orders which could end the strike
Speaking ahead of the stoppage, Israeli Finance Minister Avraham Hirschson said workers would be paid in the next two weeks, so there was "no reason to paralyse the economy".
The union says thousands of its workers have not been paid for months.
The strike had been due to begin at 0600 but was pushed back by three hours as government officials and trade union chiefs made a last ditch effort to hammer out a deal, but when those talks collapsed the union decided to press ahead.
However, union leaders decided to make one exception to the strike - airport workers will be back on duty on Thursday evening for a single incoming flight - carrying the England football team.
They are due to play Israel in a Euro 2008 qualifying match on Saturday.
Union boss Ofer Eini said he did not want the stoppage to spoil the football match, or Israel's chance of advancing in the competition, so a flight carrying the England team and match officials would be allowed to land.Union boss Ofer Eini said he did not want the stoppage to spoil the football match, or Israel's chance of advancing in the competition, so a flight carrying the England team and match officials would be allowed to land.
Flights scheduled to bring England fans, however, would not. Flights scheduled to bring England fans, however, will not.
The Israeli government appealed to the national labour court for a last-minute injunction to avert the strike.
Israeli Finance Minister Avraham Hirschson said workers would be paid in the next two weeks, so there was "no reason to paralyse the economy".