Operation Rising Lion: Update Regarding War and the Workplace
16 June 2025
We are facing challenging days, and we hope that you and your families are keeping yourselves safe.
In the wake of armed conflict with Iran, and following the declaration of a special state of emergency throughout the country, the Minister of Labor issued an order regarding the application of Chapter 4 of the Emergency Employment Service Law, 5727-1967.
The practical impact of this order is that, starting from Friday, June 13, 2025 and continuing in accordance with the instructions of the Home Front Command (as updated), no activity may be carried out at workplaces, with the exception of those defined as “essential services”.
The definitions and instructions of the Ministry of Economy and Industry define an “essential service” as one of the following:
- An essential operation as defined by the Emergency Employment Service Law, that is, an operation holding official approval from the relevant regulatory authority as an essential operation;
- Producers, resource or service providers, manufacturers, raw materials producers, suppliers, and operations that are essential for the maintenance of the population, the war effort, and the State economy, even if they do not hold formal approval as an “essential operation,” as defined by government ministries or designated authorities. In this context, and in accordance with the position of the Ministry of Economy and Industry, all operations that meet this definition, including those in production chains for industry and for the essential economy, are permitted to operate, while keeping to the Home Front Command’s guidelines, and are not required to submit any application.
It must be noted that, in keeping with regulations, such activity will only be permitted where the employees are able to reach a protected space within the required time period, and with only the minimum necessary manpower.
In workplaces not defined as providing an “essential service”, work may generally be performed remotely where the nature of the activities permits.
These guidelines may cause questions to arise regarding which workplaces may be classified as providing “essential services” and regarding payment of wages to employees, the possibility of utilizing vacation days, and other issues, including those arising from the fact that various educational institutions are now closed. We are at your disposal to provide individualized advice on this subject.
Please take care of yourselves.
We hope for quieter days,
Labour Law Department and Commercial Department
