‘We’ll rebuild everything they tried to destroy,’ labor union head vows at start of strike

By Jessica Steinberg

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14 January 2024, 11:25 am

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Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center

Head of the Histadrut labor union Arnon Ben-David speaks at Tel Aviv's Hostages Square at start of solidarity strike marking 100 days since the deadly October 7 Hamas attacks, January 14, 2024. (Screenshot, courtesy)

Head of the Histadrut labor union Arnon Ben-David launches a 100-minute strike that hundreds of companies and businesses across the country are taking part in, and speaks at the ongoing 24-hour rally held for the hostages at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square.

“I sometimes get up in the morning and I say to myself, ‘Is it real, what happened on October 7, is it possible that the State of Israel reached this place — that people were abducted from their homes and beds?” says Ben-David. “Soldiers killed while on duty? We’re in the midst of some terrible dream, and I want to wake up from this terrible dream and create a new Israel.”

Ben-David says he hoped there would be a miracle that would eliminate the need for events to mark 100 days and that there would be a hostage deal in place already.

“At this hour, hundreds of companies and businesses in the public and private sector are stopping for 100 minutes to remember and remind,” says Ben-David. “We’re striking today to work together to rebuild the land of Israel. We’ll rebuild everything that they tried to destroy and make it better.”