Seven people have died, and several more are in serious condition, after they drowned this past week on Israel's beaches. The explanation? Most of Israel's beach lifeguards are on strike.
Interior Minister Avraham Poraz says that he refuses to enter into negotiations with the strikers. He insists that he will not back down from his orders to allow municipalities to reduce the number of guards on beaches from three to two. The lifeguards began their strike just over a week ago, saying that three guards per beachfront are simply not sufficient.
City inspectors have been making the rounds, warning people against swimming on unprotected beaches. In one case yesterday, a woman specifically waved off one such warning - and a few minutes later, went under. The inspector happened by shortly afterwards, and upon learning what had happened, jumped into the water while still wearing his uniform until he found the woman. He began life-saving efforts, with help from a Magen David Adom crew that was called to the scene, and her condition is now listed as very serious.
The Union of Local Governments has proposed a compromise under which negotiations and a return to work begin simultaneously and immediately. The Union notes that it was Poraz's decision that sparked the strike, but that the municipalities have not yet implemented it, thus that there is no real reason for the strike.
Interior Minister Avraham Poraz says that he refuses to enter into negotiations with the strikers. He insists that he will not back down from his orders to allow municipalities to reduce the number of guards on beaches from three to two. The lifeguards began their strike just over a week ago, saying that three guards per beachfront are simply not sufficient.
City inspectors have been making the rounds, warning people against swimming on unprotected beaches. In one case yesterday, a woman specifically waved off one such warning - and a few minutes later, went under. The inspector happened by shortly afterwards, and upon learning what had happened, jumped into the water while still wearing his uniform until he found the woman. He began life-saving efforts, with help from a Magen David Adom crew that was called to the scene, and her condition is now listed as very serious.
The Union of Local Governments has proposed a compromise under which negotiations and a return to work begin simultaneously and immediately. The Union notes that it was Poraz's decision that sparked the strike, but that the municipalities have not yet implemented it, thus that there is no real reason for the strike.