Israel’s Biggest Labor Union Declines to Join General Strike

An attempt by Israeli hostage families to organize a nationwide strike against plans for a military takeover of Gaza was dealt a blow on Monday, when the country’s main labor union declined to join in.

The leader of Histadrut said he was concerned the union’s involvement would divert the public discourse on the return of hostages into a political debate. The group represents 850,000 members, according to its website.