Histadrut Chairman: “We will not leave the families of the hostages alone in this battle”

Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David issued a letter to the heads of trade unions, regional branches, and workers’ committees, calling on them to take action to enable workers to show solidarity at the events planned for August 17:
“We have the power to strengthen the united voice calling for the return of all the hostages.”

Today, Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David sent a special letter to the heads of trade unions, regional branches, and workers’ committees, urging them to take steps to ensure that any employee who wishes to do so can participate in the August 17 events for the hostages, without any harm to their rights.

“On Sunday, August 17, a series of events will take place across Israel dedicated to bringing back our kidnapped brothers and sisters,” Bar-David wrote. “The families have asked all of us to stand with them, to strengthen their voice, and to turn their cry into one that will resonate throughout the country and the world.”

In his message, Bar-David explained the reasons why the Histadrut will not join a strike, while promising to provide every necessary form of assistance:
“The full range of considerations included difficult dilemmas, but I am at peace with the decision that was made. On one hand, I am fully aware of the personal and professional responsibility placed upon me as Histadrut Chairman; on the other, I have no doubt that this house, comprising the trade unions, the committees, the Histadrut branches, the workers, and retirees, will not leave the families to fight alone. The Histadrut and the business sector will place resources and any assistance required at the disposal of the families’ headquarters to strengthen its activities.”

Bar-David concluded his letter with a personal call to go out and be with the families, and to work for the immediate return of the hostages:
“Personally, I feel deep solidarity with the pain and the struggle of the hostage families. I have met with the families many times, and I am in ongoing contact with some of them. Like every other Israeli, I can’t sleep at night knowing that fifty of the hostages are still being held in tunnels in Gaza. I don’t know what I would do in their place, and at the same time, I want to remind everyone that any one of us could have been in their shoes. How would you react to a video showing your son, thin as a skeleton, digging his own grave on the orders of Hamas murderers? How much loneliness and helplessness would you feel after two years of knocking on every door, ringing every bell, and growing weary of empty promises?”

“It is within our power – each from their own place – to strengthen the united voice calling for the immediate return of all the hostages. I trust that you will act in this spirit, with responsibility, humanity, and unity. I call on all of you to rise to the moment, set aside disagreements, and simply go out and be there on August 17 so that the families know they are not alone, that the fight for the return of the hostages is a fight for all of us.”