Israel’s embassy in Washington reopened on Monday afternoon hours after it announced it would be closed for the day, and for the foreseeable future, in response to a strike called by the Histadrut, also known as the General Organization of Workers in Israel.
Embassy spokesman Elad Strohmayer told JNS that the strike is over and that consular operations have returned to normal.
Earlier on Monday, the embassy tweeted that Israel’s national labor union “instructed all government employees to go on general strike, including Israel’s diplomatic missions around the world. The diplomats have been instructed to stop all ongoing activities and meetings.”
The diplomats at the embassy are all part of the union.
There was no word yet if the Israeli consulate in New York, which also closed due to the strike, reopened on Monday afternoon. Itay Milner, spokesman for the consulate, had tweeted on Monday morning that “the Consulate General of Israel in New York will be closed today, and no consular services will be provided.”
The announcements came hours after Asaf Zamir, consul general in New York, resigned on Sunday and Yoav Gallant, defense minister, was fired on Sunday night by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Be a part of our community
JNS serves as the central hub for a thriving community of readers who appreciate the invaluable context our coverage offers on Israel and their Jewish world.
Please join our community and help support our unique brand of Jewish journalism that makes sense.