Backed by Israel�s Histadrut national labor federation, employees of the Foreign Ministry are threatening a strike over labor conditions and a planned budget cut. Labor representatives told Israel Radio that they are threatening by declaring a job action, which is often a precursor to a strike. The law demands a 14-day word dispute period before declaring a strike, a period that is intended to promote negotiations, but rarely does this happen. Negotiations generally only begin after a strike is declared.

When asked if they would actually strike during the planned visit of US President Barak Obama, one labor representative stated �we are planning harsh actions and if this is what it must be, we will do this too.�

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)