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Israel gripped by general strike General strike shuts down Israel
(about 6 hours 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. A strike by Israel's main trade union has shut down the country's airports, seaports, railways, government offices and many other essential services.
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 powerful Histadrut union called the stoppage over the failure of local authorities to pay workers' salaries.
The stoppage was called by the powerful Histadrut union over local authorities failing to pay workers' salaries. About 400,000 workers went on strike at 0900 local time (0700GMT) after overnight talks with the government failed to resolve the row.
The action affects government offices, firefighters, buses and railways. The government has challenged the legality of the strike.
Approximately 400,000 workers are thought to take part in the strike. "We want every last worker to get his salary today, every last worker," said Ofer Eini, the secretary general of Histadrut.
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. In the past, similar strikes have led to rubbish piling up in the streets and stopped phone and electricity services.
Paralysed economy Each day has cost the Israeli economy tens of millions of dollars.
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 Municipal malfunctions
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". Government and labour officials have been continuing talks through the day to try to resolve the conflict.
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.
The strike will continue until all civil servants receive their wages Ofer EiniHistadrut secretary generalThe 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.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.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 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.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. His current popularity rating is 3%. Members of his own cabinet have also faced allegations of corruption, some cases touching the prime minister himself.
Football concessionFootball 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.