Israeli Universities Join National Strike for Hamas Hostages

In a show of solidarity with families of hostages held by Hamas, several leading Israeli universities have announced their participation in a nationwide strike scheduled for Sunday, August 17. The coordinated action aims to increase public and governmental pressure to secure the release of the remaining captives.

Tel Aviv University President Professor Ariel Porat expressed his personal commitment in a letter to students and faculty, stating:

“I intend to join the strike, primarily to show solidarity with the pain of the hostages and their families. Our leaders have not given due weight to the moral imperative of freeing the hostages, who were abandoned by the State of Israel on October 7.” Porat concluded with a call for decisive action: “May the voices of the hostages and their families be heard, and reach the hearts of those who can act to bring them back.”

Similarly, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem declared in a statement to its community that university leadership, deans, and department heads will participate in a personal strike to support hostage families. The statement underscored the urgency:

“We call on the Israeli government to do whatever is necessary, including halting the war, to bring back the hostages now.”

The University of Haifa announced that all employees are free to participate without salary deductions, emphasizing solidarity with hostages and their families, including that of Inbar Hayman, a student who was abducted by Hamas and later confirmed killed in captivity.

The Open University of Israel also plans to join the strike, urging students and staff to stand united with hostage families.

Beyond academia, the Israel Bar Association and the Hi-Tech Forum, representing companies such as Wix, Fiverr, and others, have committed to the strike. Amit Becher, Chairman of the Bar Association, called on law firms and the public to join the effort. The Hi-Tech Forum described the moment as “fateful” and affirmed their refusal to remain passive.

Students from The Hebrew University backing up Israel (Photo: Flash90)

However, the Histadrut labor federation, representing 800,000 Israeli workers, chose not to participate officially. Chairman Arnon Bar-David explained that while his heart supports the strike, he doubts its effectiveness in resolving the crisis, saying,

“If I knew that a strike… would stop the war and bring back the hostages, I would go for it with all my strength.” Nonetheless, he encouraged employers and worker committees to allow those wishing to join the strike to do so freely.

The planned strike represents a powerful wave of public solidarity with hostage families, emphasizing the national urgency to secure their release and find a resolution to the ongoing conflict.