Ben Gurion Workers' Union Head Denies Strike Amid Staffing Crisis and PM's Threat to Expel Him from Likud

Following a sudden disruption at Ben Gurion Airport, union chairman Pinchas Idan strongly denied that a strike took place, responding to Prime Minister Netanyahu's announcement to expel him from the Likud party for allegedly causing the work stoppage. In a letter to Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Idan emphasized that no strike or planned work stoppages occurred, nor were there any demands for higher wages or benefits. Instead, he described the situation as a severe physical and health crisis among workers due to chronic understaffing in the baggage handling and porter system.

Idan accused the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) of shutting down counters and creating an artificial crisis that unfairly blamed the workers, who continued working despite exhaustion and injuries from handling thousands of suitcases during extended shifts. He warned that if the staffing shortage is not urgently and thoroughly addressed, the airport will face significant challenges during the upcoming busy Jewish High Holidays.

Meanwhile, the IAA reported that operations have stabilized and returned to normal, with efforts underway to return luggage to passengers who flew without their bags. However, congestion is expected to persist at Ben Gurion at least until the start of the Sabbath, with some Friday flights delayed into Saturday. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over labor conditions at Israel's main international gateway amid high passenger volumes and operational pressures.