Chaos at Ben-Gurion - Histadrut Publishes Its Version of Events

The Histadrut denied reports of a strike at Ben-Gurion Airport, stating that the chaos was caused by a chronic shortage of personnel amid peak summer passenger traffic. The union placed responsibility on the management of the Airports Authority and the relevant ministry, which failed to take measures to increase staffing despite warnings.

The Histadrut, Israel's largest labor federation, issued an official statement denying media reports of a strike by Ben-Gurion Airport employees that allegedly caused brief chaos on Thursday. The organization emphasized that neither the Histadrut nor the Transport Workers' Union had decided to impose labor sanctions. The disruptions at the airport were attributed to a chronic staff shortage, which became particularly acute during the peak summer passenger traffic. According to union representatives, the management of the Airports Authority and the relevant ministry were warned in advance that the existing workforce would be insufficient, but no necessary measures were taken. Employees are working at their limits and are forced to take constant overtime. The chairman of the Histadrut contacted the head of the Airports Authority workers' committee, Pinchas Idan, to coordinate assistance for passengers. The union demands that the authorities urgently normalize airport operations and create acceptable working conditions.