Ben Gurion Airport union chief Pinchas Idan denies role in shutdown
Pinchas Idan, the Israel Airports Authority union chairman, has denied responsibility for a recent shutdown at Ben-Gurion Airport. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has petitioned to terminate Idan's party membership, alleging the strike was a politically motivated act against the government.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights ongoing political tensions in Israel and the economic impact of labor strikes on national infrastructure.
Following severe disruptions at Ben-Gurion Airport and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's move to end his Likud membership, Israel Airports Authority workers' union chairman Pinchas Idan appeared Saturday evening on Kan News' “At Seven with Ayala Hasson” program, rejecting claims that he was responsible for the airport shutdown.Netanyahu filed an urgent petition with the Likud's Supreme Court demanding that Idan's membership in the party be terminated. The petition alleged that the union chairman led a “political and illegal shutdown” intended to harm Transportation Minister Miri Regev, the prime minister, and the Likud.“I never received anything from the Likud in my life,” Idan said during the interview, reiterating: “The airport manager is the one who closed Ben-Gurion Airport.” Asked whether the situation could continue into next week, he responded: “I don't promise anything.”Dispute follows hours of chaos at Ben-Gurion AirportThe dispute over responsibility for the disruptions follows hours of chaos at the…
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