(Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) For the first time in Israel’s history, the Foreign Ministry has gone on strike, closing all diplomatic missions abroad as well as the ministry’s Jerusalem headquarters indefinitely. A total of 103 Israeli missions are closed, including at the United Nations. Some 100 consulates and other lower-ranking missions are also closed. The strike could cause political damage to Israel as a result of cutting off communication with diplomatic officials around the world. It also leaves Israelis abroad without official assistance.

Foreign Ministry worker demands include anchored wages and pay increases in line with the cost of living in the countries to which they are posted, addressing the issue of spouses’ loss of employment, adjustment of pension plans, and appropriate compensation for executive branch employees.

The ongoing dispute caused the cancelation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned visit to Latin America in April.