Israel finance ministry demands salary cuts for striking teachers

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich gives a speech in front of the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on June 3, 2024 [Saeed Qaq/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images]

The Israeli Ministry of Finance has taken further escalatory steps against the teachers’ strike, demanding the Centre for Local Authorities to draft a plan to cut the salaries of those taking part in the protests, Kan reported.

With the strike due to enter its second week, the body representing parents called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to get involved in the matter.

The Finance Ministry hoped that the salary cuts will lead the teachers to break their strike.

Yesterday the head of the Teachers’ Union, Ran Erez, announced that the high school teachers’ strike would be suspended and that classes would start today.

“Out of responsibility to the state, teachers and students, and despite the irresponsibility of the Finance Ministry and the ‘blown-up’ negotiations, we announce the strike is suspended,” Erez said in a statement to union members, issued around 11:30 pm yesterday.

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