Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

general strikes

File: Students at Tel Aviv University rally against violence within Arab communities, January 12, 2026. (Erik Marmor/FLASH90)
January 22, 2026, 2:39 pm
Arab society stages nationwide strike over police failure to curb violent crime
Starting in northern towns, strike spreads to many Arab locales as Sahknin mayor accuses PM of not caring; Ben Gvir ridicules the protest action, says leaders back criminals
By Charlie Summers and ToI Staff
Gal Gadot embraces Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, at Hostages Square on August 17, 2025. (Lior Rotstein/Hostages and Missing Families Forum)
August 17, 2025, 4:18 pm
Gal Gadot visits Hostages Square amid nationwide strike urging release
‘Wonder Woman’ star, an outspoken advocate for the captives, meets with their relatives, including former hostage Yocheved Lifshitz
By Ariela Karmel
Demonstrators block a road during a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, August 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
August 17, 2025, 3:26 pm
Daily Briefing Aug. 17: Day 681 – Can mass strike for hostages restart release talks?
Political reporter Tal Schneider on a day of protests across Israel as PM Netanyahu doubles down on all-or-nothing offer to Hamas, plus Denmark premier’s threat of sanctions
By Amanda Borschel-Dan and Tal Schneider
Protesters hold banners calling for the release of the hostages on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, on August 17, 2025. (October Council)
August 17, 2025, 7:00 am
Large protests held across Israel as national strike for hostages gets underway
Close to one million people expected to pass through Hostages Square in Tel Aviv; protest events being held across the country, from the Galilee in the north to Eilat in the south
By ToI Staff
Protesters block the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv at a demonstration calling to free the hostages and end the war in Gaza, on August 14, 2025. (Danor Aharon/Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)
August 16, 2025, 1:49 pm
Thousands to rally for hostages ahead of Sunday’s planned nationwide strike
Demonstrations in Tel Aviv will feature speeches by family members of captives, victims of October 7, as activists hope to bring country to a halt to pressure government on deal
By ToI Staff
Histadrut labor union chairman Arnon Bar-David (middle) meets with senior representatives of the business sector and representatives of the families of hostages, August 11, 2025. (Courtesy)
August 11, 2025, 10:05 pm
Histadrut labor union won’t join Aug. 17 general strike; tech firms, Bar Association will
Strike urged by hostage families in protest of Gaza City takeover plan won’t help end war, Histadrut argues, though it will support employees who want to take part in rally
By Sharon Wrobel and ToI Staff
Family members of hostages and those slain on October 7 hold a press conference in Tel Aviv on August 10, 2025. (Screenshot/Facebook)
August 10, 2025, 2:28 pm
Families of hostages call for general strike next week over government’s war plan
October Council lobby group says aim is to prevent both the deaths of hostages held in Gaza and of the soldiers fighting there; labor federation won’t join action set for August 17
By Charlie Summers and Sam Sokol
Israelis attend a protest march against the firing of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara in Jerusalem, March 23, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
March 23, 2025, 12:50 pm
Protesters march in Jerusalem as cabinet prepares for motion of no-confidence in AG
Dozens of professors cancel class to join protests in capital, as university presidents threaten to strike if government ignores High Court injunction on firing of Shin Bet chief
By ToI Staff
Mourners and family members gather to bury executed US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin whose body was recovered with five other hostages in Gaza, during the funeral at Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem on September 2, 2024. (Gil Cohen-Magen / POOL / AFP)
September 3, 2024, 2:02 pm
Daily Briefing Sept. 3: Day 333 – Saying goodbye to Hersh as the PM explains his strategy
Jessica Steinberg reports from Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s funeral; diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman on PM Netanyahu’s rare press conference, UK arms suspensions, Herzog’s call for unity
By ToI Staff
In Tel Aviv, protesters demanding a hostage release deal block the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, September 2, 2024. (courtesy)
September 2, 2024, 2:22 pm
Daily Briefing Sept. 2: Day 332 – The two events that led to this eruptive Israeli moment
As masses of Israelis take to the streets and strike in protest of the lack of a hostage release deal, senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur reflects on what brought us here
By ToI Staff
Protesters demanding a hostage release deal block traffic at a junction next to the city of Ramat Hasharon, September 2, 2024. (Hillel Maeir/Flash90)
September 2, 2024, 12:04 pm
Striking unions join protest as thousands take to streets for hostage deal
Banks, malls, government offices shuttered, major intersections blocked ahead of main protests later Monday; court rules strike is political in nature and must end at 2:30 p.m.
By ToI Staff
Histadrut Labor Federation chief Arnon Bar-David announces a general strike over the government's failure to release hostages held in Gaza, September 1, 2024. (Histadrut)
September 1, 2024, 9:11 pm
Histadrut labor union announces nationwide strike, over failure to release hostages
‘A deal is more important than anything else,’ says Bar-David, amid outrage over killing of 6 captives; Smotrich says strike illegal, accuses him of representing Hamas interests
By Sam Sokol
Histadrut chair Arnon Bar-David speaks at a conference hosted by the Yedioth Ahronoth news outlet, May 8, 2024. (Ynet video: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
May 8, 2024, 5:05 pm
Histadrut head urges early elections, hints at potential future general strike
Arnon Bar-David says he has lost trust in government, but timing is key for any drastic action to force national vote; government decision on hostage deal could play a part
By ToI Staff
VIew of the commercial street leading to the Damascus Gate inside the Old City of Jerusalem, usually a bustling site with a food market, lying empty during a general strike in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, December 11, 2023 (Gianluca Pacchiani / Times of Israel)
December 12, 2023, 11:13 am
Palestinians in West Bank and East Jerusalem go on strike over war in Gaza
‘Global general strike’ in support of Gaza sees many businesses closed in Palestinian areas, as well as Jordan and Lebanon; does not extend beyond the region
By AFP and Gianluca Pacchiani
Arnon Bar-David, chairman of the Histadrut labor federation, speaks at a conference in Tel Aviv, December 7, 2022. (Tomer Neuberg/ Flash90)
July 23, 2023, 6:43 pm
Likud, protest leaders reject labor union’s compromise overhaul bill
Both sides claim proposal would be a victory for the other; Histadrut to mull next steps as it faces growing pressure to intervene in national crisis
By ToI Staff
Load More
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.