"The sanctions have today been transformed into an all-out strike for the first time in the history of Israel," Livne explained on Sunday, ITAR-TASS reported.
Israeli diplomats have been asking the government and the Ministry of Finance to raise their wages for several years now with zero result.
One of the union leaders Yair Frommer accused the Ministry of Finance of "declaring war on diplomatic employees who are struggling day after day, hour after hour, for the future of Israel".
Commenting on the shutdown of the diplomatic missions, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman pointed out that this decision made by the union "leads to a complete loss of control." He particularly emphasized that during the strike of the foreign ministry's staff he will personally work to "minimize the damage to the citizens of the country" from the labor conflict it the Foreign Ministry.
