Striking dockers shut down Israel's Haifa and Ashdod ports

Striking workers shut down Israel's two main ports, leaving dozens of cargo ships stranded on Thursday in protest against the creation of competing foreign-run docks.

At least 17 ships were waiting to unload at Ashdod port, with another 14 lined up to come in. Ten were held up at Haifa port, with more ships due to come, spokesmen for the ports said.

Dockers protested by not coming into work, said officials at both ports, though cruise ships were still able to dock in Haifa.

The government, frustrated by labor disputes that have disrupted Israel's trade arteries for years, gave the green light in 2013 to build new terminals next to the state-run ports of Ashdod and Haifa.

Union leaders, who have been negotiating with the government over new employment terms given the looming competition, were summoned to a labor court to discuss the strike on Thursday.