Histadrut Threatens to Block Sale of Arkia Over Plans to Halt Sabbath Flights
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
The Histadrut labor federation warned Arkia's owners against selling the airline to a Haredi investor planning to stop Sabbath flights, citing risks to the airline's business and employees. The union vowed to oppose any deal that harms Arkia's financial stability and workforce security.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Histadrut warns Arkia owners against selling to investor halting Sabbath flights.
- Deputy union chair says stopping weekend flights threatens Arkia's business model.
- Union stresses issue is business impact, not religious beliefs.
- Sale could harm Arkia's finances, competitiveness, and hundreds of jobs.
- Histadrut pledges to use all means to prevent damage to Arkia and its workers.
The Histadrut labor federation has issued a stern warning against the proposed sale of Israeli airline Arkia to a Haredi investor who intends to cease operations on Sabbaths and Jewish holidays. Nir Eisenberg, Deputy Chairman of the Transport Workers Union within the Histadrut, sent a letter on Thursday to Arkia's controlling family, the Nakash family, expressing serious concerns about the potential deal. Eisenberg emphasized that the issue is not about religious beliefs but the direct business consequences of halting weekend and holiday flights. He warned that such a move could severely damage Arkia's business model, financial stability, competitiveness, revenues, and the job security of hundreds of employees.
Eisenberg stated, "Preventing Sabbath desecration is a legitimate worldview, but it is not a business strategy." He added that purchasing an airline with the intent to reduce its business operations weakens rather than invests in the company. He insisted that Arkia should not become an ideological experiment and that the future of its workforce must not be sacrificed for the owners' change in perspective.
The letter also reminded the Nakash family of their full responsibility for the company's future and its employees, beyond just the financial terms of the sale. Eisenberg concluded with a strong warning that the Histadrut will not stand idly by if the deal proceeds in a way that harms Arkia's business model. The labor federation pledged to use all legal, organizational, and public means to protect the company and its workers.
