Netanyahu Moves to Expel Airport Workers' Union Leader Pinchas Idan from Likud Over Alleged Political Strike

Prime Minister and Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu has filed an urgent petition with the Likud party's Supreme Court seeking to terminate the membership of Pinchas Idan, chairman of the Airport Authority workers' union, following severe disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport. The petition alleges that Idan orchestrated a politically motivated shutdown intended to harm Netanyahu, the Transport Minister, and the Likud party. Idan denies planning a strike, attributing the disruptions to a severe labor shortage and excessive workloads.

The petition details the events of August 20, when over 100,000 passengers and around 600 flights were affected by operational failures including closed check-in counters, baggage conveyor issues, and a temporary airport closure to landings. The disruptions caused flight cancellations and delays, with the Finance Ministry estimating economic damages of 25 to 30 million shekels. The petition argues that the timing and nature of the disruptions indicate a deliberate political act rather than a mere labor dispute.

Idan's defense highlights a critical shortage of hundreds of workers and long shifts, some lasting up to 13 hours, which he says forced employees to reduce working hours. He also denies initiating a planned strike. The petition references a prior incident in March 2023 during the judicial reform protests, when Idan participated in a general strike that halted airport operations. At that time, he expressed regret and promised not to engage in illegal political strikes again, a commitment that influenced the decision not to expel him then.

Netanyahu's current petition asserts that the recent events represent a conscious recurrence of politically motivated strike actions despite prior warnings. The petition calls for Idan's expulsion from Likud, arguing that lesser sanctions would be insufficient to uphold party integrity and public trust. The Likud party's disciplinary court will now decide whether Idan's actions warrant termination of his membership.

The airport disruptions sparked a public confrontation, with the Airport Authority blaming the union for the disturbances, while Idan cited workforce shortages and worker exhaustion. Netanyahu declared that Ben Gurion Airport would continue operating normally and warned that anyone obstructing this would be dismissed. The Likud party has since moved to formalize Idan's expulsion process.