Israel’s tightly-organized protests graduated to a new level on Monday, with numerous professional unions, infrastructure networks, local authorities, the main airport and commercial chains joining the wholesale anarchy gripping the country.
For readers who are living in the Jewish State, here’s a list of what’s open, what’s not and who is joining the anarchists in solidarity as part of the protesters’ promised “Week of Paralysis” to shut down the country.
(Keep it in mind for the next elections.)
Joining the anarchists’ destruction of Israel’s democracy:
Local Authorities, Municipal Services
Local Authorities nationwide are on strike as well as some municipalities (with some exceptions), among them Kfar Kana, Arad, Eilat and Tel Aviv. In Arad, reception and basic municipal services are closed, but “essential” infrastructure work is being carried out. Eilat, lifeguards on reduced format, education system closing Tuesday, special education and disabilities’ transportation operating as usual. In Tel Aviv, “all municipal services suspended until further notice.”
Some heads of local authorities launched a hunger strike in solidarity with the protesters.
Local Authorities Council Chairman Chaim Bibbs announced, “There is no public reception today. Tomorrow there will be no helpers, no summer camps, or anything else.”
Kindergartens nationwide will be closed from Tuesday for the strikes, according to Channel 12.
In addition, the Histadrut Social Workers’ Union likewise joined the strike.
The good news: here’s the list of local authorities and municipalities who are NOT joining the strike:
Regional Councils:
Binyamin
Samaria
Gush Etzion
Mount Hebron
Jordan Valley
Municipalities:
Acco
Beitar Illit
Beit El
Beit Shemesh
Bnei Brak
Elkana
Immanuel
Jerusalem
Kedumim
Kiryat Arba
Kiryat Gat
Maale Adumim
Migdal HaEmek
Modiin Illit
Petach Tikva
Ramla
Rechesim
Sderot
Shlomi
Tiberias
Tzfat
National Government
Israel’s defense industries state they will continue to work as usual.
The Israel Embassy in Washington DC has closed in deference to the protesters. There are no consular services.
The Allenby Crossing used by Palestinian Authority citizens to cross into Jordan and back, is closed due to the strike.
The Official Residence of the President announced the cancellation of Monday night’s traditional Iftar meal to break the Ramadan fast, in consideration of those who might not be able to get past the protesters to attend the event, adding that the food will be donated to those in need.
Medical System
Beilinson Hospital and Sharon Medical Center are both operating on Shabbat basis
The Israel Medical Association (IMA) announced a “full strike in the health system until the announcement of a clear and serious course of negotiations on the way to broad agreements. We will not be satisfied with stopping the legislation without a more substantial content that will ensure the protection of patients’ rights.”
In response, more than 600 doctors warned the IMA to “keep your political opinions to yourself and don’t use our names.” They called on the IMA not to politicize their organization and not to use the membership fees they have paid, for political purposes.
The health system subsequently announced it will work in “emergency mode.”
Moshe Bar Siman Tov, director-general of the Health Ministry, announced in response, “The health system is a mirror image of Israeli society and the damage to the social fabric may find its expression in the system as well,” he said.
“We will continue to make sure that the system continues and is free of any non-medical considerations. I hope a solution to the crisis in which the country finds itself will soon be found, which will make it possible to return the system to full function as well.”
Judicial System
Yitzhak Gordon, Chairman of the Union of Public Service Lawyers, announced that all attorneys, judges’ clerks, public defenders, and interns throughout the public service system are going on general strike. “There is no legislation and no litigation, no legal advice, no committees, no tenders and no approvals or procedures: everything has stopped,” the statement said.
In addition, the Israel Attorneys’ Association – numbering some 1,100 private and public sector attorneys, joined the strike as well, as did the Israel Bar Association, calling on lawyers not to appear in courts.
High-Tech, Investment System
High-tech protest organizers announced a “complete shutdown of Israeli high tech,” saying in a statement, “There is no other choice left.”
Yishai Davidi, CEO and founder of the Fimi Fund (largest investment fund in Israel) announced the shutdown of all companies controlled by the fund.
TERMINAL X stopped its website activity to join the shutdown.
Beginning Tuesday, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange will also shut down “completely,” according to Channel 12 News.
The Histadrut Forum of Independents and Freelancers called for a “tax revolt” by its members starting from April 15, the day monthly taxes are paid to the state, “until there is a complete halt to the legislation.”
Shopping Malls, Chain Stores
The Azrieli Group joined the shutdown, announcing the closing of its malls across the country, effective 12 noon Monday. However: most of the stores in the group’s Negev Mall in Be’er Sheva remained open, according to an eyewitness who spoke with JewishPress.com while shopping. “People are infuriated,” she said. “I am not participating in this,” added a nearby store owner. Both requested anonymity.
The Ofer Mall Group also joined the strike, calling on its mall tenants to close their stores effective 12 noon Monday. “Essential services will remain open to the public,” the group said.
Also on the list of mall chains and shopping centers joining the strike:
Mebane Shopping Center chain
Blue Square Oak Group Mall chain
Dizengoff Center Mall
Fox clothing chain
Amot chain
Aroma café chain
McDonald’s chain
Strauss Food (company headquarters)
Banking System
The following banks announced closure of their branches to join the strike:
Bank HaPoalim
Bank Discount
Mizrachi-Tefahot
Clalit Cooperative Bank
Otzar Hayal
Massad
Fagi
CAL company (credit card)
Isracard (credit card)
Food Supply
Tnuva shut down its headquarters in Petach Tikva as of 2 pm. Production lines and distribution continuing as usual.
Zim Shipping (headquarters closed)
The Shufersal and Rami Levy supermarket chains both announced they are NOT closing their branches to join the strike.
Utilities: Power, Phones
Israel Electric Company (reception centers closed, tech support and service on emergency footing)
Partner Communications
Cellcom Communications
Entertainment
Yes Planet cinema chain
Rav Chen cinema chain
Lev cinema chain
Holon Cinematech
Meditech Theater
Tsava Theater
Beit Tzvi Acting School
Library Theater
Tel Aviv Museum
Design Museum
Hotel Chains
Fattal hotel chain (operating on Shabbat basis, reservation center closed at 2 pm)
Isrotel hotel chain (reservation center operating in a reduced format)
Travel Industry
Israel Airports Authority board chairman Pinchas Idan reportedly issued an order by phone to “Stop all take-offs” from Ben Gurion International Airport.
The Authority subsequently confirmed the suspension of all outgoing flights from Ben Gurion airport. More than 70,000 passengers were scheduled to pass through the airport on Monday.
The Ben Gurion Intl Airport Workers’ Union also reportedly joined the strike.
As of 3:30 pm Monday, workers had left check-in stands at the Airport, making it impossible for passengers with scheduled flights to proceed.
The El Al Airlines workers’ council announced it was joining the strike “immediately” as well. Nevertheless, as of 4 pm local time, and despite the statement by the workers’ council, not a single El Al flight to Israel has been cancelled thus far according to Channel 12, although those flight departures delayed due to the airport shutdown will later result in delays on the return flights to Israel.
