Israeli diplomats scrap plan to disrupt Trump visit over wage crisis

Foreign Ministry workers have decided to delay a labor strike aimed at disrupting the expected visit of US President Donald Trump, saying they will still carry out the civil action but will wait two weeks.

Earlier they said the strike would go head as planned despite obtaining a further assurance from the Finance Ministry that a wage agreement will be implemented, Channel 2 television reported Thursday.

Although a meeting the night before between representatives from the Foreign Ministry, the treasury and the Prime Minister’s Office produced a commitment to apply a previously formulated deal, the diplomats said they will not relent until they see the agreement not only signed but also put into practice.

The fight between the diplomatic service and the Finance Ministry over diplomats’ stagnant pay has been going on for several years. The diplomats argue that past agreements are not being honored and budgets are not being approved.