Pinehas Idan Denies Striking at Ben Gurion Airport, Blames Management for Check-In Closure

Pinehas Idan, chairman of the Airport Authority workers' committee, denied accusations that he orchestrated a strike causing chaos at Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday and ongoing disruptions on Friday. Idan asserted that the crisis was not due to any strike or planned labor action by employees but resulted from the Airport Authority management's decision to close check-in counters. In a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Idan emphasized that no financial demands were made by workers during the incident.

Idan attributed the operational breakdown to a severe shortage of manpower among baggage handlers and porters, warning that workers had been forced to endure 13-hour shifts under extreme conditions. He noted that many employees suffered physical harm and could not continue beyond their shifts after nine hours of work. Contrary to management claims that porters deliberately stopped working, Idan maintained that all employees reported to work and kept the airport functioning.

He criticized the management for responding to the staffing crisis by proactively closing check-in counters, which directly impacted passengers. The letter comes amid escalating tensions between the workers' committee and the Airport Authority over Ben Gurion's summer operations and following Netanyahu's announcement to expel Idan from the Likud party. Idan described the workers as scapegoats in the crisis and urged immediate intervention from Netanyahu and Regev.

Idan demanded that the Airport Authority halt unilateral measures harming passengers, implement an emergency plan to recruit and reinforce ground and baggage handling staff, and ensure employee health and safety. He warned that if the severe staffing shortage is not resolved promptly and thoroughly, the airport will face significant challenges managing the upcoming high passenger volumes during the Jewish High Holidays.