Israeli airline employees demonstrated outside the home of Finance Minister Yair Lapid today.

The airlines employee union protested against the government’s plan to ‘open the skies’ which will allow more European airlines to fly to Israel, bringing down ticket prices. The demonstrators – representing the three Israeli airlines, El Al, Arkia and Israir – also gathered outside the house of Transport Minister Yisrael Katz.

According to Haaretz, Mr Lapid told the protesters: “There is no intention to harm employees.” The Finance Minister then held a meeting with the heads of the three companies promising to consider their concerns before he approves the agreement on Sunday.

Chairman of the El Al employees union Asher Edri said: “We explained that we support competition, we just want protection so the foreign airlines don't tear us apart."

The airlines union has announced that it plans to strike on Sunday.