Israeli workers launch general strike

Tens of thousands of Israeli workers launched an open-ended general strike today that crippled the country’s ports, transport and financial services.

Marathon overnight talks between the Histadrut labour federation and the government failed to avert the walkout, which began at 9am local time because thousands of municipal workers haven’t been paid for months.

Past strikes have lasted for days, each day costing the economy tens of millions of euros in losses.

Making one concession, the Histadrut labour union said it would open Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport tomorrow to let in one incoming flight so the England soccer team can land in time for a crucial Euro 2008 Championship qualifier match on Saturday.

General strikes in Israel encompass a wide array of services, and much of the country is paralysed. Travellers are stranded at airports, cargo piles up at seaports, and stinking rubbish accumulates on pavements.

Government offices are shuttered, and state-run utilities operate on skeleton staff, carrying out no repairs.

A Histadrut spokesman said as many as 150,000 workers throughout the country walked off the job.

Ben Gurion International Airport, in an exceptional move, moved up flights and operated through the night so fewer travellers would be stranded by the walkout.

The labour federation announced it would allow the England team to land tomorrow evening so it could prepare for its showdown with Israel’s national team.