Protesters begin to gather at Histadrut labor federation to call for general strike

Demonstrators from across Tel Aviv are beginning to converge on the headquarters of the Histadrut labor federation to call for a general strike.

Many protesters have been angered that the federation has not called a strike despite the expected passage next week of a bill to radically curb judicial oversight over government decisions.

Histadrut chief Arnon Bar-David has denied reports he was been warned by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to stay out of the protests, amid public sector pay negotiations with the ministry.

In late March the union joined a daylong general strike triggered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s since-reversed decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for calling to pause the judicial legislation amid growing unrest over the overhaul. The strike was called off the same day after Netanyahu agreed to pause the legislation to allow for negotiations with the opposition, which have since collapsed.