Israel Land Authority Union Demands Resumption of Canceled Employee Show
Translated & summarized from Davar by baba
The State Employees Union is demanding the Israel Land Authority reschedule a canceled employee performance that included female singers, citing a violation of equality rights. Acting Director General Yehuda Eliyahu unilaterally canceled the show, leading to an agreement for a postponement which has not yet been honored. The union warns of further legal action if a new date is not set soon, also noting other stalled employee welfare activities. Eliyahu's appointment has faced scrutiny over conflicts of interest and gender exclusion issues.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The State Employees Union demands the Israel Land Authority reschedule a canceled employee performance featuring female singers.
- Acting Director General Yehuda Eliyahu unilaterally canceled the show, replacing it with one without female singers.
- The union argues the cancellation violates female employees' rights to equality and demands adherence to labor court agreements.
- A new date for the performance has not been set despite agreements reached over a month ago.
- The union warns of further legal action if the issue is not resolved promptly.
- Yehuda Eliyahu's appointment has been controversial, facing challenges related to conflicts of interest and gender exclusion.
The State Employees Union is demanding that the Israel Land Authority (ILA) reschedule an employee performance that was canceled by acting director general Yehuda Eliyahu, which included female singers. The union insists the ILA uphold agreements reached with the labor court and set a new date for the event.
Union chairman Ofir Elkayam sent a letter on Tuesday demanding the ILA set a date for the show within seven days. The performance, titled 'Because of the Wind' featuring songs by Shlomi Shabat, was originally scheduled for September to mark the start of the year. Eliyahu unilaterally canceled it, replacing it with a different show without female singers.
The union had previously appealed to the labor court, arguing the cancellation violated the rights of female employees to equality. An agreement was reached whereby the show would be postponed to October, with an alternative activity offered for employees who did not wish to attend. Elkayam stated that over a month has passed since these agreements were made, and despite a joint announcement to employees, no new date has been set.
Elkayam expressed concern that the delay is an attempt to exclude women from public spaces and violate the principle of equality, emphasizing the binding nature of the agreements. He also cited a separate instance where Eliyahu allegedly stalled approval for a study tour to Eilat, preventing its advancement. These actions, Elkayam argued, infringe upon employees' rights to welfare activities for the current work year.
Elkayam demanded a clear timeline for the rescheduled event and the Eilat tour. He warned that if a substantive response is not provided, the union will consider it a repudiation of the agreements and will pursue all organizational and legal avenues, including a renewed appeal to the labor court. The union prefers to resolve the issue through dialogue but will not allow employee welfare rights to be compromised.
Eliyahu, reportedly a confidant of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, faced a Supreme Court challenge to his appointment due to conflicts of interest. In September, Construction and Housing Minister Haim Katz summoned him for a hearing regarding labor relations and gender exclusion issues, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated Eliyahu would not be fired.
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