Israeli embassies shut as diplomats strike over pay

JERUSALEM

Israeli embassies and consulates around the world shut down on Wednesday because of a strike by diplomats and military attaches over a pay dispute.

Several embassies put a message on their social media pages about closing over the dispute.

"Due to the decision of the Israeli Ministry of Finance to breach understandings that were agreed upon and signed by the Director General of the Ministry of Finance on July 21, 2019, and to apply a one-sided procedure that alters a protocol that has been in place for several decades, we are forced to close the diplomatic mission,” reads a statement posted on various Israeli mission websites.

"No consular services will be provided, and no one will be allowed to enter the Embassy/Consulate,” it said.

The strike came as the Finance Ministry wants to force diplomats overseas to pay back thousands of dollars that they had been reimbursed for expenses.

Israeli diplomats have long complained about low wages and poor working conditions in Israeli missions abroad.

The strike is expected to affect the movement of Palestinians as border crossings between Israel and both the West Bank and Gaza Strip will be closed.