Embassies in shutdown
March 24, 2014 by J-Wire Staff
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A general strike has shut down Israel’s foreign ministry in Jerusalem and consequently its embassies world wide…including Canberra and Wellington.
An email address has been established for requests for special cases for those requiring consular services on compassionate grounds.
As of March 23, 2014 at 15:00 a general strike has been declared at the Foreign Ministry. The Ministry in Jerusalem will remain closed and Israel’s missions abroad will not open as of Monday morning, March 24.
As of Tuesday, March 4, Israel’s diplomats no longer engaged with foreign representatives, take care of official visits of any kind, either in Israel or overseas, issue visas or provide any consular services.
Requests for special dispensation should be sent by e-mail to [email protected]This is just part of an extended list of organizational measures which will take effect immediately, after the Ministry of Finance caused the failure of a seven-month mediation process led by the former Chief Justice of the Labor Court.
It may seem unusual for the diplomatic service of a country to become engaged in a labor dispute. Out of our deep commitment to presenting Israel’s interests abroad, Israel’s international standing and national security, we, the Israeli diplomats, insist that our reasonable demands be met.
Regular updates will resume upon a satisfactory resolution of the dispute.
There still has been no official statement from Jerusalem that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Australia in June or July.
