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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Israel gripped by general strike | Israel gripped by general strike |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| Flights at Israel's only international airport, Tel Aviv, were cancelled as the strike came into force at 0900 (0700 GMT) after talks failed. | Flights at Israel's only international airport, Tel Aviv, were cancelled as the strike came into force at 0900 (0700 GMT) after talks failed. |
| The stoppage was called by the powerful Histadrut union over local authorities failing to pay workers' salaries. | The stoppage was called by the powerful Histadrut union over local authorities failing to pay workers' salaries. |
| The action affects government offices, firefighters, buses and railways. | The action affects government offices, firefighters, buses and railways. |
| Approximately 400,000 workers are thought to take part in the strike. | |
| In the past, such strikes have effectively brought normal business in Israel to a halt, with rubbish piling up in the streets and phone and electricity services stopped. | |
| Paralysed economy | |
| 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 | 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". | 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 strike will continue until all civil servants receive their wages Ofer EiniHistadrut secretary general | |
| The union says about 3,500 workers have not been paid for months. | |
| They are employed by local authorities in Israel, but under Israeli law the country's Interior Ministry is ultimately responsible. | |
| Israel has struggled for years with malfunctions in a number of its municipalities. There have been allegations of the mismanagement of funds, cronyism and in some cases embezzlement | |
| BBC Jerusalem correspondent Katya Adler says that Israel's Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, is in an awkward position with no appetite for further political fights. | |
| His current popularity rating is three percent. Members of his own cabinet have also faced been allegations of corruption, some cases touching the prime minister himself. | |
| Football concession | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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, will not. | Flights scheduled to bring England fans, however, will not. |