The Histadrut National Labor Federation appears determined to make good on its threat to launch a public sector strike in two weeks in response to the treasury’s staunch opposition to bailout the ailing pension funds. Senior officials in the Finance Ministry feel such a move would have a disastrous impact on the national economy.

President Shimon Peres on Monday called on both sides to enter into negotiations towards assisting pension funds and averting a general strike but it appears the sides are moving further apart, not closer together.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)