The teacher's union announced several minutes ago that it is ending the 50-day-old high school teachers' strike pending final approval of an agreement worked out with the government. The announcement means that the Labor Court back-to-work order does not have to be implemented. Teachers were divided on whether to obey the order, and thousands said they would not return to classes under coercion.

The school strike was the longest in Israel's history. The government and teachers' union still have not reached an agreement on the maximum classroom size, and negotiations will continue.