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General strike shuts down Israel Israeli union ends general strike
(40 minutes later)
A strike by Israel's main trade union has shut down the country's airports, seaports, railways, government offices and many other essential services. Israel's main trade union has called off a general strike that halted most international flights, closed banks and shut down many public services.
The powerful Histadrut union called the stoppage over the failure of local authorities to pay workers' salaries. The powerful Histadrut union ended the eight-hour strike after signing a deal with the finance ministry to end a crisis over unpaid wages.
About 400,000 workers went on strike at 0900 local time (0700 GMT) after overnight talks with the government failed to resolve the row. The union said about 3,500 workers had not been paid for months.
The government has challenged the legality of the strike. But the union said a deal had now been made and workers would be paid "today or tomorrow".
"We want every last worker to get his salary today, every last worker," said Ofer Eini, the secretary general of Histadrut. "I hereby announce that the strike is over and all workers can go back to their jobs," said Ofer Eini, the secretary general of Histadrut.
About 400,000 workers went on strike at 0900 local time (0700 GMT) after overnight talks with the government had failed to resolve the row.
In the past, similar strikes have led to rubbish piling up in the streets and stopped phone and electricity services.In the past, similar strikes have led to rubbish piling up in the streets and stopped phone and electricity services.
Each day has cost the Israeli economy tens of millions of dollars.
Municipal malfunctions
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 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.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 3%. Members of his own cabinet have also faced 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.
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.
Flights scheduled to bring England fans, however, will not.