The staff at Ben-Gurion Airport on Thursday halted all check-in counters, declaring a "crisis" due to operational difficulties, challenges loading and unloading aircraft, and a shortage of parking stands, before halting flights altogether at 2:00 p.m.
The Israel Airports Authority stated it is currently dealing with work disruptions directed by the workers' union that are affecting operations and service to the traveling public.
Approximately 100,000 travelers are expected to pass through Ben-Gurion Airport today, as more than 20 American refuelers occupy parking stands adjacent to Terminals 3 and 1.
This is lengthening the transport times of luggage to and from aircraft, as well as the shuttling of passengers to and from planes not connected to jet bridges.
The Public Transport Authority confirmed its management has issued a demand to employees to "immediately cease any action that harms regular work and to restore operations to full routine. The Authority views with utmost severity any deliberate action liable to harm the traveling public and the proper functioning of Ben-Gurion Airport, especially during summer peak loads and high operational volumes."
Labor leader Pinchas Idan calls it 'torture,' Miri Regev threatens severe action
Pinchas Idan, leader of the strike, said, "They give us such hard labor; management has no shame - they are torturing the employees of Ben-Gurion."
Transportation Minister Miri Regev stated that she has instructed the Israel Airports Authority management to immediately petition the Labor Court against the workers' union.
According to her, action must be taken to halt what she called a "thug-like, illegal strike," adding, "Whoever made the decision to make tens of thousands of Israeli citizens hostage will pay a heavy price."
Ex-Director-General of the Transport Ministry, Keren Terner, said in a post on X/Twitter, "Today [the Israeli public is] getting an example of that and paying the price for a ministry in the throes of collapse due to excessive political appointments and failed management...
Anyone who's stuck right now at Ben Gurion Airport, or in traffic jams, or waiting hours for a bus that never shows up - I want you to know that things don't have to be this way. They've conditioned us to a government that normalizes the idea that nothing can be fixed, but soon it will be different."
Gadi Eisenkot tied the strike to the Netanyahu government in his own X post, saying, "The chaos at Ben Gurion Airport on one of the busiest days of the year is not an isolated incident; it is a reflection of the failed management culture of the Netanyahu government - chaos and disorder, lack of management and lack of accountability. The Israeli government's lack of interest in the lives of its citizens and, above all, lack of leadership...
"Israeli citizens deserve leadership that takes responsibility, stands up to the challenges, and knows how to address systems from the ground up."
'Italian' strike, work-to-rule strategy employed at airport
Employees have reportedly resorted to an "Italian" strike, also known as a "work-to-rule," or "slowdown" labor protest strategy, wherein employees technically comply with their duties, following official rules and regulations while grinding actual work to a halt.
This tactic is often used by sectors that are legally restricted from striking, such as customs agents, air traffic controllers, baggage handlers, and the like.
Senior sources in the Transportation Ministry emphasize that if it turns out to be an Italian strike at the peak of the travel season, "heads will roll and workers will go home."
The director-general of the Transportation Ministry said, "We are investigating the incident; we are in a peak period with refuelers present, but if the investigation reveals an Italian strike, we will act with a very heavy hand against whoever is behind this."