More Israeli workplaces, towns and universities say they will join next Sunday’s strike. The Communist Party of Israel (CPI) and Hadash published on Tuersday evening a communique and called upon the Histadrut, all workers’ unions, all workers – Jews and Arabs – and the entire Arab community to join a general strike against the war on August 17.
Activists march near border with Gaza Strip, calling for the end of the war and the release of hostages held in Gaza, August 10, 2025 (Photo: Tsafrir Abayov/Flash90)
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.
Israelis protested across the country on Tuesday, calling for an end to the war in Gaza. In Tel Aviv, approximately 50 peace activists demonstrated outside a hotel where they learned leaders of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) were staying. The protest was organized spontaneously after learning of the presence of GHF CEO John Acree, spokesperson Chapin Fay, and other senior team members. In addition, hundreds of retired and reserve Israeli Air Force pilots rallied outside the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv Tuesday evening to urge an immediate hostage deal and protest the cabinet’s recent decision last week to occupy Gaza City, which came amid talk of occupying the entire Strip. In a separate demonstration in Tel Aviv, dozens, including Einav Zangauker, the mother of Israeli, Matan Zangauker, made similar calls.
On Tuesday morning, mothers of combat soldiers protested outside the home of Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, demanding an end to the war. “Stop collaborating with a clear illegal war! Stop serving a messianic government that sacrifices soldiers and hostages! Show responsibility, Commander, and stop this suicidal failure!” the mothers said. At the same time, hundreds of people participated in a rally against war and for the hostages’ release in a community near the Gaza border, which began with a convoy of dozens of cars that arrived from central Israel.
Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=32924
