Ben Gurion Airport union chief denies blame amid Netanyahu's move to expel him from Likud

Pinchas Idan, the head of the Israel Airports Authority workers' union, has pushed back against claims that he orchestrated the recent severe disruptions at Ben-Gurion Airport. Appearing on Kan News, Idan rejected the notion that he was responsible for the airport shutdown, instead pointing to the airport manager.

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I never received anything from the Likud in my life.

His comments come as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken steps to expel Idan from the Likud party. Netanyahu filed an urgent petition with the party's Supreme Court, accusing Idan of leading a "political and illegal shutdown" aimed at harming Transportation Minister Miri Regev, the prime minister, and the Likud.

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The airport manager is the one who closed Ben-Gurion Airport.

The disruptions, which caused hours of chaos, have been estimated to have cost the economy between NIS 25 million and NIS 30 million. This figure accounts for lost passenger time, airline costs, and damage to air cargo and supply chains. Idan also addressed the situation within the workers' union, stating that temporary and veteran workers have equal voting rights. He explained that the incident began after baggage handlers, who had worked a 12-hour shift, requested to go home due to exhaustion.

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I don’t promise anything.

Idan stated his intention to pursue legal action regarding the working hours of baggage handlers, asserting that they should not be required to work 12-hour shifts. He emphasized that the airport manager was the one who closed the airport and expressed uncertainty about whether the situation could be resolved by the following week.

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My situation in the union is not complicated; temporary workers vote like veteran workers.