From the Liveblog of
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Report: Airport strike was originally meant for yesterday to disrupt Regev’s flight; was delayed because PM visited airport with her
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Today’s hourslong strike by Ben Gurion Airport workers had originally been planned for yesterday in order to disrupt Transportation Minister Miri Regev’s flight to a private vacation in Morocco, but was delayed to today because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the airport with her, Channel 12 news reports.
The report, which cites unnamed senior officials in the Israel Airports Authority, says the local workers’ union and its head, Pinchas Idan — a member of the Likud party — decided it would be “too much” to disrupt the premier’s visit.
Netanyahu and Regev filmed clips with workers, with Regev praising them for the hard work they do.
The report claims workers were eventually ordered to disrupt the baggage transfer to Regev’s flight, but that this only resulted in a minor delay.
The IAA officials are said to claim that Idan, who normally has a good relationship with Netanyahu and Regev but today drew outraged comments from them, decided to blow up talks on potentially extending his tenure in exchange for re-organization of employees’ working conditions, which he opposes.
Idan denies the report.
Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry says the strike caused estimated damage totaling NIS 25-30 million ($8.3-10 million).
The Times of Israel Community.