Histadrut

Histadrut corruption probe: Judge blocks extension of restrictions on union chairman

Arnon Bar-David, the longtime chairman of Israel’s largest labor federation, became the central figure in a sweeping corruption investigation that came to light in November. 

Arnon Ben Dor, Chairman of the Histadrut, visits in the Northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona., June 27, 2024.
Arnon Ben Dor, Chairman of the Histadrut, visits in the Northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona., June 27, 2024.

Connecting the dots: The deep state is not hidden, it runs Israel - opinion

Lawyers and police investigators arrive for a court hearing in a major corruption case involving senior officials from the Histadrut at the Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court November 3, 2025

Israeli labor federation chief Arnon Bar-David suspended for further 90 days amid corruption case

Israeli police and border guard officers deploy at Ben Gurion Airport on July 6, 2011 as part of preparations for the arrival of a "Pro-Palestinian Fly-In", organised by European and North American activists to travel en masse to the West Bank.

Senior local authority official detained at Ben-Gurion Airport amid Histadrut corruption probe


Labor union will not join hostage families' strike calling for an urgent deal

The chairman did commit to calling on management and worker committees to allow any employees who wish to participate in the protest events and solidarity rally scheduled for August 17. 

Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David with families of hostages, August 11, 2025.

Government, labor associations announce compensation for businesses amid Iran war

The plan had previously applied to specific areas impacted by the Israel-Hamas war.

 Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (center) with Histadrut head Arnon Bar-David (right of center), Presidency of Business Organizations chair Dubi Amitai (left of center), and others announcing compensation for businesses, June 23, 2025.

Court rules: Teachers who took sick leave as protest must return to work

Some tens of thousands of teachers have been on a “sick day” strike since the start of the week.

An empty classroom in a school in Givatayim amid the teachers' strike. May 6, 2025.

Bar-David’s attempt to relive Histadrut’s glory days falls flat - analysis

Histadrut's Chairman Bar-David attempts a political strike, evoking past leaders, but fails due to diminished union power and legal issues.

 Histadrut Labor Federation Chairman Arnon Bar-David (L) and Histadrut leader and founder Yitzhak Ben-Aharon (R) on the forefront of a demonstration in Tel Aviv (illustrative)

Israeli labor court rules: Ongoing strike is 'political,' to conclude at 2:30 p.m.

Israel’s National Labor Court declared the Histadrut’s general strike illegal, leading to its immediate end. Finance Minister Smotrich praised the ruling.

Histadrut chair Arnon Bar-David and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen over the backdrop of protests in Tel Aviv (illustrative)

Legal disputes reach courts as Histadrut threatens to extend strike

The legal challenges came as reports indicated that the Histadrut is considering extending the strike to Tuesday as well.

 HISTADRUT CHAIRMAN Arnon Bar-David attends a Histadrut conference in Tel Aviv, last year. Says the writer: Many left-wing American Jews got confused and uneasy; is the only Jewish state socialist or has it become capitalistic?

Israel comes to a halt: Which institutions are striking?

In an attempt to prevent the strike, Attorney-General Gali Baharav Miara appealed to the State Attorney overnight, instructing it to contact the Labor Court for injunctions. 

Israelis rally in Tel Aviv calling for a release of all hostages in the Gaza Strip, September 2, 2024

Gali Baharav-Miara moves against general strike amid Histadrut's call for hostage deal

Attorney General Baharav-Miara directed prosecutors to seek a strike injunction. Histadrut's Bar-David criticized political delays and emphasized urgent hostage negotiations.

 Gali Baharav Miara

Thousands protest, airport to close, general strike called, demanding the return of hostages

Ben-Gurion Airport will close on Monday due to widespread strikes and protests demanding the return of hostages.

 Tens of thousands of protestors march behind the marchers carrying coffins representing the 6 hostages who were murdered at the end of last week, headed for Begin Street in Tel Aviv.

With an overwhelming majority, Meretz and Labor approve merge, becoming the Democrats

The Labor Party conference approved a merger with Meretz, strengthening Yair Golan’s control. Despite criticism, the agreement passed with an overwhelming majority.

 Yair Golan facing the crowd before his speech following the vote to merge Meretz and Labor parties