Israeli journalists at the widely-respected Haaretz newspaper are on strike to protest probable layoffs and budget cuts, the Haaretz website announced. Up to 100 employees are expected to be laid off.
The strike, which began at 4 p.m. Israeli time, will last until midnight. At midnight, employees will vote on whether to continue to the strike or go back to work.
The website is currently not being updated and the strike is expected to affect publication of both the English and Hebrew edition of Thursday’s newspaper. Friday’s paper will not be affected.
A two and a half hour strike last week failed to produce desired results.
“It is regrettable that the union doesn’t understand that something has happened in the newspaper industry that requires adapting expenditures to the reality of the business,” said Haaretz publisher Amos Schocken. “The decision to strike will not strengthen Haaretz, but weaken it.”
Looks like even in Israel, newspapers aren’t immune to budget woes.
