Israel Airports Authority chief warns those behind Ben-Gurion strike will 'pay the price'

One day after a surprise strike at Ben-Gurion Airport caused widespread disruption, Maj. Gen. (res.) Yiftah Ron Tal, chairman of the Israel Airports Authority, criticized the move Friday morning on 103FM and said those responsible would face consequences.

Ron Tal described the strike as "bullying and intolerable behavior," as reports indicated that disruptions at the airport were continuing, with passengers still waiting extended periods to receive their luggage.

"I regret the distress and the damage caused to passengers, which is completely unjustifiable. In my eyes, this is bullying and intolerable behavior, and we will examine it in the coming days," he said. "As soon as we identify who is responsible for this, they will pay the price," Ron Tal said.

He added: "The steps that will be taken are not only administrative; they are also legal. I do not want to do things in a way that will not be correct."

However, Ron Tal defended airport employees, saying they had continued working under difficult conditions.

'Our employees work under difficult and complex conditions'

"Our employees are simply excellent. During the war and today, they work under difficult and complex conditions, and they do not deserve to be directed this way," he said.

He later added: "We do not take unilateral steps; this will harm organized labor in the State of Israel."

Regarding possible reforms at the airport authority, Ron Tal said changes would require time but were necessary.

"You do not change Rome in one day. You speak to the solution, not the problem; that is why I am here," he stated.

"Not only is it possible to change, but we will change it, period. The authority has existed for 50 years, and its organizational structure is very problematic. We will find the way because we have no other choice," he said.

Structural problems at Ben-Gurion

Ron Tal also pointed to what he described as structural problems at Ben-Gurion Airport.

"It is an inverted pyramid; there are far fewer temporary workers than permanent employees. Management needs to manage, and workers need to work. There will be friction, and perhaps there will be a struggle, but this will change. This is our obligation," he said.

He rejected claims by the workers' committee that the airport is currently short 400 baggage handlers.

"Where does this number come from? If you are getting this number from the workers' committee, I suggest you check it. Even if there is a shortage of workers, it is among manual labor workers. This airport operated yesterday and the day before under conditions that were no less difficult," Ron Tal said.

He also dismissed claims that airport workers must perform physical labor for 15 consecutive hours.

"They work 12 hours; this appears in the labor agreements, and there is a break between one plane and another," he said.

Addressing the airport's current operations, Ron Tal said normal activity had resumed and that officials were working to resolve remaining delays.

"The situation at the airport has returned to normal operations, and we are closing gaps. There were 16 flights that were canceled, and they will return. The airport is operating at full capacity."