February 9, 2021
27 Bishvat 5741
Tomorrow (Wednesday) at 12:00 noon, tens of thousands of workers in the State of Israel will stop their work for ten minutes, following the call of the Histadrut chairman to join an explanatory move initiated by the IEC (“Turn off the light, turn on a warning light”) *** Stop The work is a protest move designed to raise awareness of the fight against violence against women and is dedicated to the memory of women who have been murdered in the past year by their spouses *** At the IEC’s 103 hotline, the names of the women murdered in the past year will be read tomorrow
“It is forbidden to move on to the agenda of a wave of criminal and murderous terrorism against women,” Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David wrote today, addressing the heads of trade unions and all heads of committees in the country. In his letter, the Histadrut chairman called for joining activities initiated by the chairman Electricity, Yiftach Ron-Tal, and the chairman of the company’s workers’ union, Miko Tzarfati. Bar-David noted that “the mobilization of workers and leading companies in the economy to combat violence against women is a decisive statement that can save lives.”
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As mentioned, tomorrow at 12:00, the economy is expected to stop for ten minutes while tens of thousands of workers will stop their day-to-day activities as a sign of solidarity.
The electricity company that initiated the idea, the Histadrut that joined to promote the project, and other companies that have already announced their joining the move, will hold a variety of organizational activities tomorrow, including black-clad zoom events and special lectures dedicated to the subject. Throughout the day, at the IEC 103 customer service center, the names of the women murdered in the past year will be read.
In the face of the disturbing rise in reports of violence since the outbreak of the corona crisis, the Histadrut in collaboration with Naamat has launched a nationwide campaign last year designed to help women and men break out of the cycle of domestic violence and receive the necessary assistance. The IEC, which promotes the issue among its employees, has in recent years built a unique model that offers various tools for dealing with the phenomenon, from increasing awareness to a wide range of services provided by the company, which includes professional and legal guidance and advice.
Yiftach Ron-Tal, Chairman of the IEC Board of Directors: “It is precisely in these challenging days, when we are all dealing with the corona plague and its serious consequences, that we call on all companies to join and stop their work for ten minutes, in order to convey a clear message. The family and towards women in particular. It is incumbent on all of us, managers and public figures, to have a national, moral and ethical duty to act resolutely to eradicate these cases of violence. We will continue to act by all means to prevent the next murder. I would like to thank the chairman of the Histadrut for his commitment to the issue.
The chairman of the Histadrut, Arnon Bar-David, stated that: “The Histadrut will continue to invest many efforts and resources to eradicate the phenomenon of violence against women. The power of organized labor must come even more when it comes to an issue like this. I thank the IEC for setting out to set a personal example for many other bodies in the economy. It is important to remember that domestic violence is not someone else’s problem, but a matter that should concern the entire Israeli society. I call on each and every one of the employees to show involvement and support any outreach activity that can help change reality. “
Miko Sarfati, chairman of the IEC workers’ union: “The Corona period has led to an increase in the number of women who have been paid for by their spouses. Every time again we are very shocked by a case of murder or violence within the family, and a moment later we continue with the routine of our lives. It is our duty as a society to stop this shocking phenomenon and raise an outcry in order to prevent the next case. “I call on everyone to suspend their affairs this coming Wednesday for 10 minutes in order to send a clear message that women are not anyone’s punching bag and must stop the phenomenon of violence in the family and against women in particular.”