Histadrut to support all members displaced by missile strikes

Labor under fire: Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David announces special grant for displaced members following Iranian attacks

The civilian toll of the indiscriminate Iranian attacks on the Israeli population has been devastating—both in lives lost and livelihoods disrupted. At least 24 Israeli civilians have been killed, and hundreds more injured. As sirens blared from Haifa to the Negev, businesses shuttered, schools closed, transportation halted, and much of the workforce found themselves unable to return to work. Thousands of workers are now also without homes.

The civilian front: casualties beyond the battlefield

As of 10:15 a.m. today, eight people had died in overnight missile attacks. Since June 13, total casualties are estimated at 24 dead and several hundred wounded. Displacement is widespread, with families in central and northern cities evacuated from their homes due to direct missile impacts or Home Front Command orders. Hundreds, if not thousands, have been forced from their shattered homes with no place to return to.

The economic fallout: a need for a compensation mechanism

In a letter to the Finance Ministry sent yesterday, Bar-David called for the urgent activation of a compensation mechanism:

“A permanent, swift, and transparent emergency model must be established,” he wrote.

The letter demanded:

• Paid leave for workers unable to reach their workplace due to the security situation

• Immediate and permanent compensation not dependent on long bureaucratic procedures

• A quick decision and clear announcement of the agreed-upon mechanism so that people know their rights

Histadrut responds: “We will not leave anyone behind”

In a decisive move underscoring the central role of organized labor in times of national crisis, the Histadrut (Israel’s General Federation of Labor) announced a special grant of 7,000 NIS for union members, including members of the Federation’s self-employed forum, who have been displaced from their homes due to the Iranian attacks.

Applications can be submitted by members with at least two years of union membership, via a direct, bureaucracy-free hotline.

“In these difficult days, as Israel’s civilian front copes with an unthinkable reality, the Histadrut stands shoulder to shoulder with its members and all citizens,” said Arnon Bar-David, Chairman of the Histadrut. “This grant reflects our commitment to protecting workers’ welfare—even in a time of emergency. We will not leave anyone behind.”

Dudu Batzalel, Histadrut Director General, added:

“We’re acting swiftly and decisively to support those affected. Further steps will follow to ease the burden on Histadrut members and their families.”

As missiles continue to threaten lives, the battle for stronger labor rights in Israel is also reaching a critical juncture. What happens in the coming days will be pivotal to the resilience of the Israeli workforce