All Bituach Leumi branches nationwide closed on Sunday as a strike was launched. The strike is not about salary of benefits this time, but the absence of police in offices around Israel.

Strike organizers explains that without a continued police presence in offices the agency will remain closed – adding there are people in very difficult situations who come to offices seeking assistance and police are frequently called upon to respond and therefore, branches around the country will remain closed until police are assigned to each and every office.

Bituach Leumi Director-General Dr. Shlomo Mor-Yosef explains this has been the arrangement for the past twenty years, having police in each branch, adding “I am unaware of a change in Israeli society for the better. 3.5 million citizens come to our offices around the country for assistance” and therefore, the police presence is essential.

Bituach Leumi strike leaders indicate they will not permit offices to reopen until police are returned to branches in which they served.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)