A nationwide strike was held in Israel to protest plans to overhaul the welfare state. A court limited the strike to just four hours, but because individual unions held their four-hour work stoppages at different times throughout the day, much disruption was caused. Israel's welfare state has traditionally served to protect workers from free market uncertainties and keep employment high. However, a recession brought on by worldwide economic slowdown and regional conflict has caused a labor crisis and government attempts to reform the welfare system.
See "Israeli Court Limits National Strike", The New York Times, November 2, 2003