Ben Gurion Chaos Update: Netanyahu Orders Likud Expulsion of Ben Gurion Workers’ Union Chief After Airport Strike
The ruling Likud party says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the termination of Ben Gurion Airport workers’ union chief Pinchas Idan’s party membership over the hours-long wildcat strike he ordered Thursday, which caused chaos during the peak travel season.
The party said the decision was made “due to the wild and illegal strike at the airport that harmed citizens and damaged the economy.”
Thousands of Israelis who sought to leave the country through Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday found themselves stuck for hours in huge lines and amid widespread chaos.
At around noon, severe disruptions began at the airport as check-in counters closed, baggage belts were shut down and Ben Gurion Airport was even closed to incoming flights for about an hour. It was one of the busiest days of the year at the airport, with nearly 100,000 passengers and 600 flights. Passengers arriving at the airport encountered huge lines, numerous canceled or significantly delayed flights and some aircraft en route to Israel were forced to turn around in midair.
Airport parking entrances were also blocked, causing massive traffic jams. Operations gradually resumed around 3 p.m., but delays and lines continued. More than 10 flights were stranded at Paphos Airport in Cyprus, while Sun d’Or, El Al’s low-cost subsidiary, Arkia, Israir and TUS delayed departures because Ben Gurion could not receive flights.
The Israel Airports Authority accused the workers’ committee of launching a surprise strike and called for employees to immediately restore normal operations. It said deliberate disruptions were especially serious during the summer peak.
The workers’ committee gave a different account, saying employees had collapsed under the workload caused by the large number of flights and a severe staff shortage that management had been warned about for months.
Pinchas Idan said that he had warned in June about the shortage and rejected claims that there was no staffing problem, saying a porter cannot work 13 hours a day in the heat.
Workers said the shortage is partly linked to the Airports Authority’s employment model. Because airport activity is seasonal, the workforce consists of permanent employees, temporary workers covered by a collective agreement, and employees on two-year contracts. The committee says the authority frequently lets workers go when winter workloads decline to avoid the costs and commitments of permanent employees. Workers say this creates chronic shortages during peak periods because the authority struggles to recruit replacements.
Following talks between the Airports Authority chairman, director general and workers’ committee chairman, employees returned to full-scale work, at least temporarily. It was also agreed to make a significant effort to increase staffing and address operational needs. However, the accumulated backlog continued causing delays.
Passengers whose flights were canceled must contact their airline for an alternative ticket or full refund, which Israeli law requires within 21 days.
Airports Authority Director General Sharon Kedmi said airlines generally place luggage that travels without its owner on subsequent flights.
Airports Authority Chairman Yiftah Ron-Tal said he hoped normal operations would resume by Friday morning. He said departing flights would be increased and doubled in the coming hours to close the gaps. Kedmi said the authority would do everything possible to prepare for the Yamim Nora’im, while noting it is always busy.
On Wednesday, Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Miri Regev toured Ben Gurion. Regev was photographed with Idan, an Airports Authority workers’ committee chairman and Likud member, before she and senior ministry officials traveled to Morocco.
Some Likud officials alleged the strike was deliberately timed to harm Regev and indirectly Netanyahu. A senior Likud official said there had been no declared labor dispute, threats or preliminary steps that would explain such a dramatic strike.
Later Thursday, Netanyahu ordered Idan expelled from Likud.
The Finance Ministry estimates the strike caused approximately 25 million to 30 million shekels ($7.5 million-$9 million) in economic damage. The estimate includes passengers’ lost time, direct and operational airline costs, lost revenue for the Airports Authority and airport operators, cargo and courier disruptions, supply-chain damage and losses to tourism and hotels.
The Finance Ministry identified three structural problems behind repeated disruptions: Israel’s limited aviation infrastructure, its dependence on a single airport, and an Airports Authority workers’ committee that it says prevents efficiency, flexibility and development.
