From the Liveblog of
Friday, August 21, 2026
Netanyahu submits official request to expel Ben Gurion union chief from Likud party
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has submitted an official request to his Likud party to expel Pinchas Idan, the chief of Ben Gurion Airport’s labor union, after operations halted at the airport yesterday, leading to chaos and widespread delays and cancellations.
He had declared his intention to kick out Idan yesterday.
The Israel Airports Authority says that the workers went on a wildcat strike yesterday, leading check-in counters and baggage handling to cease operations. Idan today vehemently denied calling a strike of any kind, and blamed the turmoil on staffing shortages and decisions by the airport’s management.
In his request, however, Netanyahu lays blame on Idan, noting that the chaos came one day after he and Transportation Minister Miri Regev had toured the airport.
“The event occurred one day after a visit by the prime minister and transportation minister at Ben Gurion Airport. It is clear that the timing was chosen to hurt the minister, the prime minister and Likud,” Netanyahu wrote, according to Hebrew media reports.
The alleged strike was reportedly due to take place on the day of Netanyahu and Regev’s visit, but was pushed off so as not to conflict with it.
The Times of Israel Community.