Israel’s embassy in Vilnius is closed on Monday amid a general strike in the country aimed at pressuring the government to reach a deal to free hostages still held in Gaza.
“Following the tragic murder of six hostages this past weekend by Hamas, and in light of the state of emergency in the country, a general strike is taking place across Israel. This strike includes all government offices, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassies abroad. The embassy will be closed, and no activities will take place today,” the embassy posted on Facebook.
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets late on Sunday in grief and anger after six hostages were found dead in Gaza.
Histadrut, Israel’s largest trade union, called for a general strike for Monday, the first since the start of the war last October. The strike aims to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, healthcare, and the country’s main airport.
Families and much of the public blame Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
Sunday’s demonstrations were the largest since the start of the war, with organisers estimating that up to 500,000 people joined nationwide events and the main rally held in Tel Aviv.
They are demanding that Netanyahu reach a deal to return the remaining roughly 100 hostages held in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead.
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