Dozens of workers at the Defense Ministry Crossing Authority intensified organizational steps this morning, Wednesday, 11 Kislev, as they did not open the land crossings in Yehuda and Shomron at all. Last night the crossings were closed until 12:00.

The closure of the crossings meant no goods were transferred from Israel to areas in Yehuda and Shomron or in the opposite direction. About 1,500 trucks pass through these crossings every day, carrying a load of tens of thousands of tons, mainly used in the textile, agricultural and construction industries.

The organizational steps were taken against the background of a deadlock in the negotiations between the Authority’s employees and the Civil Service and Finance Commission, for inclusion in the collective agreement of the Ministry of Defense, which is consistent with the nature of their activity and the level of risk they are in. While agreement has not been reached, state officials a few days ago backed out from all agreements reached between the parties in a unilateral move.

The Histadrut Labor Federation announcement said that “the Histadrut and the workers committee of the Authority intend to intensify the organizational measures if the Authority’s management does not come to an end and bring the crisis to an end.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)