Archiv: 17-08-2025 start of a wave of General Strikes in Israel for 1. toppling the Netanyahu government 2. ending war and hunger blockade in Palestine 3. saving the hostages


21.08.2025 - 17:40 [ Al Jazeera ]

Israeli captives’ families call for antiwar march in Tel Aviv this evening

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents relatives of Israeli captives in Gaza, has urged the public to join an antiwar march this evening in front of Israel’s Kirya military base in Tel Aviv.

The group says it invites Israelis to “stand and march with them … and cry out together: ‘Enough with sacrificing the hostages! Enough with sacrificing the soldiers, both active and reserve! Enough with sacrificing the evacuees!‘”

It also urged people who cannot join the march to step outside at 8pm (17:00 GMT) and flip on their phone flashlights in solidarity with the Israeli captives.

21.08.2025 - 17:34 [ Ynetnews.com ]

Families of October 7 victims warn of ‚red line‘ for protest against government

Relatives of Hamas massacre victims announce major protest in Tel Aviv on September 7, demanding state commission of inquiry into the government’s failures, warning further delays will prompt massive blowback

19.08.2025 - 18:13 [ Communist Party of Israel ]

Hostages Families Forum Announced a Nationwide “Israel Stops Again” Protest for Next Sunday

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum calls on Monday evening, August 18, for another nationwide strike to pressure the far-right government into ending the genocide war and for the release of hostages on next Sunday after a similar action on last Sunday.

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On next Saturday, August 23, at 4:30 pm, will be held another Arab-Jewish rally, “The March for Peace and Life” from Dizengoff Square to Habima Square in Central Tel-Aviv, calling for a deal to end the war and occupation, a deal with Hamas for the return of hostages, as well as a lasting peace agreement with the Palestinians. The demonstration is an initiative of the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, a leading umbrella organization among Arab-Palestinian national minority in Israel and sponsored by Hadash and several peace groups including Partnership for Peace, Standing Together, Women Wage Peace, Peace Now, and Breaking the Silence, among others.

18.08.2025 - 12:03 [ Times of the Israel ]

‘We’re with you’: After declining to back strike, Histadrut chief visits Hostages Square

He references his decision to not formally join the strike, which has enlisted a long roster of companies, organizations and local authorities.

When he decided last week to refrain from striking, Bar-David said the action “has no practical outcome.” Today, he adds that he feared joining in would politicize the issue of freeing the hostages, which he says is “the last thing I want to happen.”

18.08.2025 - 11:55 [ Tagesschau.de ]

Generalstreik in Israel: Tausende fordern Ende des Krieges in Gaza

Pia Steckelbach, ARD Tel Aviv, tagesschau, 17.08.2025 20:00 Uhr

18.08.2025 - 11:49 [ CNN ]

Protesters in Israel demand hostage deal in one of the largest demonstrations since Gaza conflict began

The nationwide grassroots strike and widespread protests grew over the course of Sunday as protesters demand the government secure the release of 50 hostages still in Gaza. People also protested outside government ministers’ homes.

The day of protests began at 06:29 a.m., the exact time when Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Organizers said that throughout the day, over one million people participated in hundreds of actions held across the country.

18.08.2025 - 11:45 [ Anadolu ]

Thousands of Israelis stage general strike to demand Gaza swap deal, end war

Demonstrators attempted to block streets, tunnels, and bridges in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, prompting authorities to use water cannons to disperse them. Protesters also set tires on fire, leading to widespread traffic disruption.

Hundreds of private companies, municipalities, and organizations joined the action, while public broadcaster KAN said thousands of demonstrators shut down major roads, leading to traffic gridlock and suspension of train services.

Restaurants and cafes also closed, while Haaretz reported that dozens of Israeli artists, celebrities, and athletes voiced support and joined the strike.

15.08.2025 - 19:37 [ Communist Party of Israel ]

All Universities, 75 Local Authorities to Back Aug. 17 Strike; Hadash and CPI: General Strike Now Against War

(August 13, 2025)

According to the CPI and Hadash, “The murder of civilians, the kidnapping of innocent people, and the bloodshed endured by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as well as Israeli citizens, are a direct result of a war fundamentally fueled by immense profits. This profit is reaped by weapons corporations, primarily Israel’s defense industries, which exclusively dominate the top 100 highest-paid positions in government-owned companies. The Israeli government’s alliance with US arms industries provides absolute backing for this system of annihilation, fueling the continuation of violence.”

“Every strike is a political strike, and everything is ‘strikable’! The war exacerbates the cost of living and directly harms workers and their work. A political strike is a democratic right and is now a duty! A strike that will end the war and bring everyone home will occur when the people themselves decide to organize and strike,” said.

“Against the mechanism of killing and neglect, we have one power – the power of our labor. A large-scale strike based on broad solidarity is the workers’ answer to the oppression of war. It is fundamental humanity and the right thing to do to stop indiscriminate violence towards the most vulnerable. Without our labor, it is impossible to continue operating the killing machine: not the planes, not the factories, not the tanks, not the transportation, and not the economy that feeds the war, agreed. “Shutdown and refusal until the war is stopped! No more profits at the cost of our blood! No more annihilation!”

All universities, colleges and dozens of local authorities threw their weight Tuesday behind a planned nationwide strike next week called by families of hostages to protest the continuation of the war there and the government’s approval of a plan for the occupation of Gaza City. Universities and municipalities said they would allow staff to attend protest events but refrained from formally declaring a strike.

15.08.2025 - 19:33 [ Times of Israel ]

Histadrut labor union won’t join Aug. 17 general strike; tech firms, Bar Association will

The Histadrut, the country’s main labor federation, said Monday that it would not join a general strike called for August 17 to protest the continuation of the war and the government’s approval of a plan for a military takeover of Gaza City. However, the labor union said it would support workers planning to participate in a protest rally that day.

Meanwhile, much of Israel’s private tech sector declared that it would back the general strike action next week, as did the Israel Bar Association.

15.08.2025 - 19:24 [ New York Times ]

Israeli Hostage Families Call for Nationwide Walkout

(August 12, 2025)

Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza have appealed for a nationwide labor strike on Sunday to demand a cease-fire agreement with Hamas to free their relatives, even as Israel’s government has moved to expand the nearly two-year military campaign in the enclave.

“Silence enables their sacrifice on the altar of an endless war without purpose or goal,” said the Hostage Families Forum, an advocacy group. “This is the time for everyone to join us, across the entire country.”

15.08.2025 - 19:20 [ CNN ]

Hostage families call for nationwide strike as Israel prepares to escalate war

(August 10, 2025)

“We are shutting down the country to save the soldiers and the hostages,” said the relatives of the hostages in Tel Aviv. They were joined by the October 7 Council, which represents bereaved families of soldiers who fell at the start of the war.

Organizers said the initiative would start as a grassroots effort primarily through private companies and citizens who will strike on Sunday to halt the economy.

Within hours, the October 7 Council said “hundreds” of companies said they would participate in the strike, as well as “thousands of citizens who have declared they will take the day off.”