"we believe the open skies policy is a spin" - Don't they realise that open skies has been in existance in Europe for nearly 30 years. Now they want the Histadrut to bring the Israel Airport Authority out to join their strike. It is about time that laws were enacted in this country allowing strikes to take place only in sectors affected by a certain problem. In this case IAA is a complete outsider and shouldn't be a part of the El Al conspiracy.

he would find a way to make everyday needs cheaper. Not how to vacation cheaper. If he found a way to make vacationing in Israel cheaper that would best. If we vacation here we will support the local economy. Not someone elses!!!

and no I don't feel sorry for the workers. this union is one of the highest paid sectors in Israel...some of them making more money than teachers and social workers!

By not being able to fly on Saturday, El Al loses about 15% of its earning potential. This makes it a financial loss from the outset. Running a business enterprise in a competitive field, on the basis of halacha, is not only dubious but is also a sick joke.

Well done GOV.Its about time the interest of 8 milion israeli citizens will prevail over a tiny minority.

I flew them to France, Italy and India... and everytime it was crap !!!

Israel would be a prime destination for both beach vacationers and city tourists. From central Europe you reach Tel Aviv within 3 to 4 hours. That's a competitive timeframe for a 3 nights city vacation which is hugely popular in Israel. With Egypt and North Africa being a huge mess, Israel could be such a superb alternative location for people who want to spend a week in the sun on a beach. Mostly these summer vacationers go for the prices, they don't care so much where to go. Let them come to Israel! Plenty would, I am sure about it!

is to nationalize EL Al and/or subsidize the potential payments to those worried about their jobs. But it IS supposed to be a level playing field.El Al has always been OK and we fly at least twice a year.But if we can manage on cheaper flights on short/medium haul journeys we do,as the price difference is significant.Having family in UK and USA we're gonna go anyway,but savings made on flights will find their way back into Israeli economy.via food.leisure and other stuff

Two of the worlds greatest and long standing airlines folded when deregulation took place in USA some 25 years ago, Pan Am and TWA. As a proud citizen I would feel sorry if our national carrier went under but as a consumer I would welcome it. To all El AL employees I say, shape up or ship out, stop this nonsense of no Saturday flying and no milk on board. Flying on El Al is an unpleasant experience and the customer comes last instead of first.

What a load of nonsense. El Al is far more expensive than most carriers and it has nothing to do with not flying on Saturday. Charging crazy prices to fly to Europe is why people don't want to travel with them. Nothing to do with religion

One time is not enough?? Must step on the same shovel again?? :-))

Oh yes it has all to do with religion. I for one will not travel on EL Al because of the unpleasant, and sometimes shameful, behaviour of the haredim. I am not the only one, there are many more like me. If you would like some personal examples I shall give them to you.

Once again the unions that represent the highest paid people in the county are hole the country hostage! Ricky Cohen of Hadera would love to earn what these selfish and greedy people are paid. The excuse that cost of security is unfair would have merit if the Israeli airline were competitive but, as we know, the reason for this noyhing but greed! El Al acted in exactly the smame way when Arkia and Israir were granted licences to fly abroad. Airlines that fly to Israel should also have to have the same standard of security that Israeli Airlines have. It will be interesting to see who caves first. Will Netanyahu and Katz stand by the people who elected the Government or cave in as the did with the Railways? Also, what will be the reaction of the EU if Israel reneges on the agreement? Don't hold your breath. The unions will win and we will pay more - as usual!

equals terrorism.

from the haredim to the unions... hey fellows... get it into your heads... ISRAEL IS A WORLD CLASS NATION AND NOT SOME KIND OF ISOLATED SHTETL LOST SOMEWHERE IN THE PAST.

The problem with the Israeli economy is extortion by the powerful unions and banks who think of the poor and the private sector as their slaves. The port workers have outrageous salaries that make imported item in Israel expensive (too expensive for poor people) because they can extort the nation by striking. The nurses took outrageous pay raises that will lead to a tax increase on poor people (while private sector worker received nothing), because they can extort the nation by striking. The air carrier workers want great salaries and conditions without work, but they can't extort because the people can choose to fly with other airlines. Only the IAA can damage private citizens and the economy badly enough so they can get what they want through extorition. The time has come for the strikers to be personally liable for the financial damage their extortion costs. Take the damage to private people and businesses directly from every person who strikes, including from their savings and pension funds, so they will feel the pain they cause the simple people who work for a living.

Agreed, but some brakes must be put on very greedy capitalists. What do suggest as a viable alternative

You have got to be kidding me. What the hell is wrong with these fools. Looks like a scene from Cairo...

and not one of them on EL AL because not only were they the most expensive, their service and amenities are garbage. I can't remember the last time I flew EL AL. Competition is the key. You want to charge more, give more. You want to compete with others, charge less and give more. I don't believe we should subsidize. Charge less or more as you will. As a private company this is your lookout. don't come to me with your hand out for more money and your executive salaries as high as they are. Private means private. Deal with it like a real business!

You are surprised because you obviously are baffled by the idea that Israel is a Western, civilized, hi tech, cutting edge country. Well it is, but there is a very large percentage of the population who have a third world mentality, in fact I would go further and state that they live and conduct themselves in a paradigm not consistent with Western culture and general behaviour. I am telling you this with very deep empirical knowlege of society in Israel.

The industrial revolution was a pivotal advent in history and as such things changed forever. Fuedalism had landowners and serfs, they required each other, a symbiotic relationship. Socialism is a noble concept but it is incapable of standing alone. Capitalism is not so noble, but it is a necessity. Socialism and the welfare state are dependant on successful industrialists and entrepreneurs, again a symbiotic relationship. Todays "serfs" are the workers and todays "landowners" are the modern industries that employ them. There are ways and means of securing the rights of workers without terrorising the entire country and causing financial and commercial destruction. Also the workers and society in general must accept the fact that nothing, but nothing, is static in life, change is in effect every day, every hour, every minute, every second and every nano second. One must adapt to change, it will not adapt to you.

What this strike have to do with capitalism? The problem is that Israeli airlines like to keep monopoly on air travel to/from Israel without service/ price improvement on their part.

I travel to Israel 3 times a year to visit family. I won't criticise the workers for striking as such, because I have been on strike with my job and that would be hypocritical. However I would say that the principles behind this law seem to make sense. Regarding whether foreign airlines have less security, I can't comment about what happens 'behind the scenes' but my experience of security has been the same with Easyjet, AlItalia, BA and El Al - all the same, and all frustrating as hell. Oh well. El Al would get more of my money if they flew on Saturdays...

Yes it may increase the wealth of Israel because of a more popularized Israel destination by europion sightseers.But: 1] will passengers be as well screened for terrorism and for anti-Israel demonstrations on Israeli streets, as screening is well done now by El Al. Are europions kindly disposed towards Israel or will there be trouble makers? 2] will Israel get immediate notice of airline highjackers that might attack Israel? 3] will the increase in Israeli economy warrant the added costs of additional military security?Therefore, this is probably not a good time to do this, until europe truly normalized sentiment for Israel.

Most commercial airlines only keep their head up by creating partnerships with other airlines. So maybe what El Al has to do is start to create partnerships. This will only benefit them. Most of the airlines that have gone down did not take care of that.