Schools across Israel were shut on Tuesday as local council leaders failed to resolve a dispute with ministers over a decision to cut more than $100-million from the education budget.
Late-night talks between local council leaders and Education Minister Limor Livnat and Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avert the shutdown broke up without agreement, triggering the latest bout of industrial unrest to afflict Israel.
While teachers were not officially on strike, staff such as security guards whose attendance is required by law were staying at home. The local authorities claim the budget cuts mean they will have to cut back on such posts.
Israel has been rocked by a series of strikes since Netanyahu unveiled a controversial austerity Budget in September. The package has still to win parliamentary approval.
Many government offices have been closed to the public for weeks while docks and Ben Gurion International airport outside Tel Aviv have been hit by stoppages. — Sapa-AFP