Train service around Israel has come to a sudden and unexplained halt as employees of Israel Railways declared a strike at midnight. The unscheduled declaration resulted in a cessation of all service throughout the country.

Histadrut National Labor Federation officials announced on Thursday morning that they too are clueless as the reason for the strike, adding the unscheduled action does not enjoy the backing of the nation’s labor union.

During a Thursday morning hearing in the Haifa Labor Court, a back-to-work order was issued but an additional hearing was scheduled for Thursday afternoon to permit the court to hear the sides.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)