Israel's Labor Union Calls for Strike Over Hostage Crises

Israel's largest labor union, Histadrut, has called for a general strike to pressure the government into securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. This call follows the recent recovery of six hostages' bodies, leading to public outrage. The strike garners support from prominent sectors, including manufacturing and high-tech, reflecting widespread public anger over the situation.

In a powerful move, Israel's largest labor union, Histadrut, has called for a general strike on Monday, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to negotiate the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. This announcement comes in the wake of recovering six hostages' bodies from a tunnel in southern Gaza, igniting fury and grief among the Israeli populace.

The call, initiated by union leader Arnon Bar-David, has garnered substantial support from various influential sectors, including manufacturing and high-tech industries. This broad-based endorsement underscores the depth of public anger over the failure to return the remaining hostages. Bar-David stressed the importance of reaching a deal to bring the surviving hostages home, highlighting that without such an agreement, the country cannot heal or move forward.

As part of the strike, Ben Gurion Airport and municipal services in Tel-Aviv will be closed on Monday. The significant support for the strike reflects a growing consensus that the government has a moral duty to ensure the hostages' safe return, with leaders like Ron Tomer of the Manufacturers' Association emphasizing the necessity of this action for societal and economic rehabilitation. Opposition leader Yair Lapid has also voiced support for the strike, as thousands of protesters continue to demonstrate in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, demanding government action.

(With inputs from agencies.)