ZIM Workers Protest Sale of Shipping Company Amid National Security Concerns

Hundreds of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services employees protested Tuesday morning outside the Tel Aviv offices of the FIMI Investment Fund, demonstrating against the company's sale. The workers, some carrying Israeli flags and others dressed as Qatari sheikhs, voiced strong opposition to FIMI's role in the acquisition deal, which involves German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd and the Qatari Investment Authority (QIA).

Oren Caspi, chairman of the ZIM Workers' Committee, led the protest, stating, "We came to tell Yishai Davidi that he will not sell ZIM, he will not accept ZIM!" The deal, valued at approximately $4.2 billion, was approved by ZIM shareholders in September but has since faced significant controversy and has been put on hold. A primary concern among opponents is that foreign control of ZIM could compromise Israel's ability to secure its trade routes independently during emergencies or wartime, especially given the involvement of QIA and the Saudi government.

Protesters expressed fears that selling ZIM, which handles a substantial portion of Israel's maritime trade, would undermine national security. "What will happen to the country without ZIM?" asked ZIM employee Tom Warner, who traveled from Haifa to join the demonstration. "We are a country built on the sea. Without ZIM, you don't control the sea." Warner also voiced concerns about potential replacement of Israeli workers with foreign labor.

Counter-protesters, also dressed as Qatari sheikhs, appeared with signs supporting the deal, displaying messages like "ZIM deal = security for Qatar" and "Qatar says yes to the deal!" This contrasted sharply with the main protest, where chants included "Qatar is an enemy state!" and "ZIM is not for sale, and certainly not to Qatar and Saudi Arabia!"

The sale requires approval from the Israeli government, which holds a golden share allowing it to veto deals that threaten national security. FIMI and Hapag-Lloyd had proposed structural changes, with Hapag-Lloyd managing international operations and FIMI overseeing an ""New ZIM"" or ""ZIM Israel"" focused on domestic activity. However, the Director of the Shipping and Ports Authority, Tzadok Regner, stated in a Knesset committee meeting that "there is nothing good for the State of Israel in the deal." Despite these objections, FIMI has announced a new draft proposal to address the state's concerns, though Hapag-Lloyd's position remains unclear.