Following severe disruptions at Ben-Gurion Airport and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s move to end his Likud membership, Israel Airports Authority workers’ union chairman Pinchas Idan appeared Saturday evening on Kan News’ “At Seven with Ayala Hasson” program, rejecting claims that he was responsible for the airport shutdown.
Netanyahu filed an urgent petition with the Likud’s Supreme Court demanding that Idan’s membership in the party be terminated. The petition alleged that the union chairman led a “political and illegal shutdown” intended to harm Transportation Minister Miri Regev, the prime minister, and the Likud.
“I never received anything from the Likud in my life,” Idan said during the interview, reiterating: “The airport manager is the one who closed Ben-Gurion Airport.” Asked whether the situation could continue into next week, he responded: “I don’t promise anything.”
Dispute follows hours of chaos at Ben-Gurion Airport
The dispute over responsibility for the disruptions follows hours of chaos at the airport. Although Ben-Gurion Airport gradually returned to normal operations, the effects of the disruption could continue even after baggage conveyors and flights resume regular activity. The Finance Ministry estimated in an initial assessment that the damage caused to the economy stands at NIS 25 million to NIS 30 million.
The estimate includes passengers’ lost time, costs incurred by airlines, lost revenues for the Israel Airports Authority and airport operators, and damage to air cargo and supply chains.
Idan also addressed claims that the disruptions were connected to his position within the workers’ union.
“My situation in the union is not complicated; temporary workers vote like veteran workers,” he said.
He said the incident began after unusual pressure was placed on baggage handlers.
“What happened is that a team of baggage handlers who started at 3 a.m. had to work until 3 p.m. They asked to go home because they felt like they were falling off their feet. I repeat, we were not the ones who shut down the airport; everything is documented, and everything is filmed.”
Event triggers renewed questions about airport staffing
The disruptions at Ben-Gurion Airport also renewed questions about staffing levels at the airport, which operates under heavy summer pressure. When airport operations are disrupted, aircraft and crews move away from their planned locations, passengers must be reassigned to different flights, and delays can continue even after operations resume.
Idan said he intends to take legal action over baggage handlers’ working hours.
“I am going to court to obtain an injunction that, according to the agreement, baggage handlers cannot work 12 hours,” he declared.
“Is it safe for a baggage worker to wake up at 2:00 a.m., arrive at a shift at 3:00 a.m., and work 12 hours? The average age is 40 to 50 after 20 and 30 years of work; their backs already hurt.”
During the interview, Idan also addressed reports claiming that he sabotaged Transportation Minister Miri Regev’s flight, denying the allegations.
“I loaded the minister’s plane together with Maj.-Gen. (res.) Ron Tal. The baggage handlers are very, very busy these days; they work 12 hours and do not have time for a glass of water.”
Even after Ben-Gurion Airport returned to activity, the incident is expected to continue having operational and political consequences. Alongside efforts to deal with delayed flights and schedule changes, Netanyahu’s petition against Idan has now moved the dispute to the Likud’s court, while the union chairman continues to insist that responsibility for closing the airport was never in his hands.
According to data from the Israel Airports Authority workers’ union, Ben-Gurion Airport currently faces a shortage of approximately 400 to 500 employees across all divisions. The union said baggage sorting is short about 100 workers, ground handling is short about 80, and the security division is missing between 200 and 300 inspectors and security personnel. In addition, dozens of employees are absent because of reserve duty, illness, injury, and workplace accidents.
The union says the shortage has continued for months and that existing employees must work between 220 and 260 hours per month. It warned that without immediate action, it will be difficult to provide proper service to passengers during peak travel periods.