Labour8/21/2026

Can Netanyahu Expel the Airports Workers’ Union Chairman From Likud?

Benjamin Netanyahu ordered action to expel Pinhas Idan from Likud following the strike at Ben Gurion Airport. However, the party chairman may not terminate his membership unilaterally: such a decision is made by the party tribunal.

Key facts

•The parties: Benjamin Netanyahu and Pinhas Idan
•The deciding body: the Likud tribunal
•Previous expulsion attempt: 2023
•Estimated damage: 25–30 million shekels
•Tens of thousands of passengers were affected

The Reason for the Confrontation

Pinhas Idan is chairman of the Israel Airports Authority workers’ union and a longtime Likud member. After the strike disrupted operations at Ben Gurion Airport on one of the busiest days of the summer, Netanyahu ordered his expulsion from the party.

Who Is Authorized to Make the Decision

Under Likud’s rules, the party chairman has no personal authority to revoke membership. The party tribunal may terminate membership. Idan may oppose the decision, appeal it, and submit an appropriate petition.

What Happened in 2023

In 2023, Idan had already halted operations at Ben Gurion Airport during the Histadrut’s protest against the judicial reform. At the time, Likud members demanded that his membership be terminated, arguing that he had acted against the government and against the party’s values. Idan relied on an instruction from the Histadrut chairman and on alleged coordination with Netanyahu’s office, but after this was denied, he explained that he had mistakenly believed such coordination had indeed taken place. The party tribunal criticized him but did not expel him from Likud.

Consequences of the Current Strike

According to the source, the strike affected tens of thousands of passengers. The Finance Ministry’s initial estimate put the damage at 25–30 million shekels. The party tribunal’s final decision regarding the current incident is not stated in the article.

What this means for you

A party leader in Israel cannot necessarily expel someone from the party on his own: the process depends on the party’s internal rules and the powers of its tribunal. For party members, this means they may oppose expulsion and appeal the decision. The leader’s instruction alone is still not equivalent to terminating membership.

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