Netanyahu Expels Ben Gurion Airport Workers' Union Head Pinhas Idan from Likud Over Strike Chaos

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the expulsion of Pinhas Idan, chairman of the Airport Authority Workers' Union, from the Likud party following a disruptive strike at Ben Gurion Airport. The strike, which occurred during one of the busiest summer days, caused severe delays and long waits for thousands of passengers, prompting Netanyahu to label it an "illegal and wild strike" that inflicted significant damage on the Israeli economy.

The decision was announced shortly after the strike paralyzed check-in procedures and baggage handling at the airport, which was handling nearly 100,000 passengers and around 600 flights that day. The turmoil sparked a public dispute between the Airport Authority and its workers, with Idan, a key figure in the strike, remaining silent on the chaos.

This is not the first time Idan has been linked to airport disruptions. In March 2023, during the height of the judicial reform crisis, he joined a Histadrut strike that halted takeoffs at Ben Gurion, causing controversy within Likud. At that time, several Likud MKs and ministers petitioned the party court to revoke his membership, accusing him of political bullying. The case was dropped after Idan expressed regret and promised not to strike again for political reasons.

However, the recent strike has reignited tensions, with a senior Likud official criticizing Netanyahu's past concessions to labor unions and accusing him of weakness that encouraged Idan's defiance. The official claimed Netanyahu's threats were empty and that the government would fold under pressure, as seen during the judicial reform protests. This time, Netanyahu acted decisively to remove Idan from the party, signaling a tougher stance against labor disruptions affecting critical infrastructure.

The expulsion marks a significant political move amid ongoing challenges at Ben Gurion Airport and internal party disputes over labor relations and governance.