Israeli hostage families call for nationwide strike as Netanyahu prepares to escalate Gaza war
'We are shutting down the country to save the soldiers and the hostages,' relatives of the hostages said at a gathering in Tel Aviv. They were joined by members of the October 7 Council, which represents families of soldiers killed at the start of the conflict.
Organisers said the strike would begin as a grassroots effort, with private companies and citizens taking the day off to disrupt the economy. Within hours of the announcement, the October 7 Council said 'hundreds' of companies and 'thousands of citizens' had pledged to take part.
Israel's largest trade union, the Histadrut, has not yet said if it will join the strike. The families plan to meet Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David on Monday to urge him to take part.
Anat Angrest, whose son Matan is being held in Gaza, appealed to business leaders and labour organisations. 'Your silence is killing our children,' she said. 'I know your hearts are with us and in pain – but that is not enough. Silence kills. That is why I am here today to ask the heads of industry: you have the power.'
The Histadrut held a general strike last year in support of hostage families, disrupting transport, banking, and healthcare after six Israeli hostages were killed in Gaza in September 2024. The Israeli government criticised the strike as political and sought to stop it through a labour court order.
While the Histadrut has stayed quiet on the latest call, opposition parties have expressed support. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said, 'The call by the families of the hostages for a general strike is justified and appropriate.'
Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats party, said his party would join the action. 'I call on all Israeli citizens anyone who holds the values of life and mutual responsibility dear to strike with us, to take to the streets, to resist and disrupt,' he said.
The strike call follows the Israeli security cabinet's decision on Friday to approve a plan to expand the military campaign into Gaza City. Families of the 50 remaining hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive, say the plan could put their lives at greater risk.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the move in a news conference on Sunday. 'Contrary to false claims, this is the best way to end the war and the best way to end it speedily,' he told reporters.
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