Histadrut transport union urges Finance Ministry to halt “forceful” Israel Railways privatization plan

The Histadrut’s Transport and Seaports Workers Union, led by Adv. Eyal Yadin, has formally appealed to Israel’s Finance Ministry to halt what it describes as a “forceful and misguided” move toward the privatization of Israel Railways.

In a letter sent Tuesday by Amit Hillel, Deputy Chair of the union and the Histadrut’s portfolio holder for the railways, the union warned that the ministry’s plan contradicts professional assessments, ignores international experience, and will ultimately harm the Israeli public.

“Over the past two weeks we have witnessed repeated statements and media reports regarding the Finance Ministry’s intention to privatize one of Israel’s national assets,” Hillel wrote. “This forceful attempt to push through privatization stands in direct contradiction to the views of professional experts within Israel Railways and the Ministry of Transport. It is baffling, especially in light of international experience showing that railway privatizations have been resounding failures—hurting citizens and benefiting only private capital.”

Hillel sharply criticized the idea of transferring public infrastructure into private hands, calling it “both outrageous and absurd.”

“The intention to take infrastructure funded by the citizens and built for the citizens, and hand it over to private capital, is as illogical as it is infuriating,” he wrote. “This is particularly true given the previous failed privatization attempt in rolling-stock maintenance—an attempt the State Comptroller concluded had failed on every metric and harmed passengers. It is clear that the recent declarations are not in the interest of the state, nor of its citizens.”

While the letter reaffirms the union’s willingness to cooperate on reforms meant to improve public service, Hillel stressed that the Histadrut will not tolerate unilateral steps that undermine workers’ rights or public interest.

“We have proven time and again that we are genuine partners in efforts to improve service for the public,” he stated. “However, we will not allow unilateral actions that harm workers and citizens, especially when undertaken without real dialogue and without professional due diligence.”

The letter concludes with a firm warning: if the Finance Ministry continues down this path, the union will take action.

“We hereby clarify that if these attempts move forward, the Transport Workers Union of the Histadrut will bring its full weight to bear and will stand—as is its legal and moral duty—to defend the workers of Israel Railways and its vital national infrastructure.”