Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has accused those who went on strike today of “serving the interests of Hamas” and “damaging the Israeli economy”.
The far-right minister, who leads the Religious Zionist Party, posted his reaction to the labour court’s ruling that today’s strike must end imminently.
He wrote on X: “The court accepted our position and determined that the Histadrut’s strike was political and illegal.
“The Israeli workers who showed up for work today in droves proved that the days of the red register that enslaves the workers for political needs are over.
“It is not possible to damage the Israeli economy and thereby serve the interests of [Yahya Sinwar] and Hamas!”
Mr Smotrich is one of the two far-right members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government that his critics say are part of the reason he has not secured any further hostage deals.
Strike must now end in less than an hour – labour court
Israel’s labour court ruled the general strike will have to end at 2.30pm local time (12.30pm UK).
Previously trade union Histadrut told the hearing in Tel Aviv that it would end at 6pm (4pm UK), with rumours it could be brought back tomorrow.
But a final decision has now been made following petitions by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
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