Israel: Histadrut union federation kicks hospital workers’ strike into the long grass as support grows On Thursday afternoon, the Histadrut labour federation called off the nationwide strike of 13,000 support workers at Israel’s public hospitals. This came just three days after the start of the strike over intolerable workloads, massive staff shortages and the dismissal of 200 workers taken on at the height of the pandemic. Israelis receive a COVID-19 vaccine from medical professionals at a coronavirus vaccination center set up on a shopping mall parking lot in Givataim, Israel. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) The health care workers, who include both Jewish and Palestinian Israelis, have been pushed to the brink. They are also seeking extra payments for dealing with Covid, as cases rise again to levels not seen since April 5, and the implementation of a 20-year-old decision of the finance ministry that recommended pay parity between public and private (insurance owned) hospitals.