EL AL flights strike until further notice

Manufacturers Association petitioned tonight (Sunday) the National Labor Court in Jerusalem against airline workers strike and the expected strike of the employees at Ben Gurion Airport, on Tuesday.

Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz called out tonight against the airline strike against the Federation and against the union of EL Al. "The fact that the Histadrut sponsors this strike is a serious fact. There is no legitimate purpose, it is the government's right to make decisions. I do not know a body that can prevent this agreement. We are enriching our citizens," Katz said in an interview on Channel 2.

Katz added: "Israeli companies and the content should focus on efficiency, and to benefit from 'open skies'. What comes out from the strike apart from suffering to passengers? We have no chance to change the agreement. In the interior - Israel, we look at the things, including the articles of Defense.

"The committee prevents the management from streamlining the process. Runway of the company is not true, it should be more efficient," Katz said, noting that in his opinion "every traveler can find an alternative to do so."

Earlier in the evening decided Histadrut during an emergency meeting, to disable on Tuesday starting at 5 am the Ben Gurion Airport for several hours, a sign of solidarity with the struggle of the Israeli airline workers; Meaning - complete halt of all inbound and outbound flights to Ben Gurion Airport, including foreign airlines.

In addition EL AL canceled all its flights until further notice. The company said: "Following the strike declared by the Histadrut and the light of the announcement that the strike will continue, as a result of the government's decision to approve the Open Skies Agreement, El Al flights are canceled until further notice." EL AL urges travelers to receive updates in the website and in the media.

Recall, the government approved the open skies agreement. Proposal which was brought to the government decision-makers said: "The open skies agreement with the EU was meant to liberalize the routes between Israel and the EU which would allow the reduction of prices for flight between Israel and Europe and opening new flight destinations all over the EU countries without restriction ... Also allow the agreement to increase inbound tourism and consequently help the strength of the economy. The treaty open skies include a mechanism for gradual implementation over five years, in order to allow Israeli airlines to prepare for building new competitive in the airline industry. "

Following the decision, and even before, El Al, Israir and Arkia disabled as mentioned the flight operations.

However, the exceptions committee of the Federation approved a number of flights. The Committee approved the nursing flight for children with cancer, and the flight of 25 boys from Yeruham supposed to fly into the evening with the United States to represent Israel at robotics.

Following the strike of 'EL Al' thousands of Israelis, including hundreds of haredim found themselves stuck in various destinations around the world, unable to return to Israel.

However, despite the strike, El Al - on Sunday night said on the company's Facebook page that all flights from the U.S. to Israel will be held today as planned. It was reported that Flight 001 from Tel Aviv to New York will take place tomorrow as planned.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!