The Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC. A total of 103 Israeli missions are closed due to the Foreign Ministry strike. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – The Israeli Foreign Ministry strike, which shut down Israeli embassies and consulates around the world for almost two weeks, ended Wednesday after the two sides came to an agreement on a pay increase for workers.

According to the new agreement reached between the Israeli Finance Ministry and the Histradrut Labor Federation, the foreign ministry will have greater control over sending emissaries abroad; pension plans will be strengthened, especially for families of diplomats; and more financial assistance will be provided for diplomats going abroad.

“After long negotiations, we have arrived at an agreement that will strengthen the foreign service and aid the country’s emissaries in the world [who] work at length in the Israeli diplomatic service,” said Kobi Amsalem, director of the Wages Department at the finance ministry, the Jerusalem Post reported.