The Worker’s Committee of Israel Chemicals (ICL) attempted to transform their struggle to prevent 140 layoffs into a mass struggle of all Negev residents. They succeeded only partially. True, the southern town of Dimona (home to many ICL workers) came to a halt the morning of May 17 and a demonstration was held. But only about 1,500 people attended the rally, most of whom were ICL’s organized employees and their families. These were reinforced by the appearance of dozens of politicians from the opposition. including all the members of the Zionist Camp, Knesset members of Yisrael Beitenu (except for party Chairman Avigdor Liberman) and the Meretz Knesset members.
Politicians streamed in to the Negev and there was broad media coverage of the strike, which included live broadcasts of TV stations, open studios that were erected in Dimona and newspaper headlines. All these attempted to create the perception of an authentic mass protest. The fact that the protest took place so soon after the March 17 elections and the May 14 swearing-in of the new government all contributed to the atmosphere of urgency.