Knesset Finance Committee Chairman Moshe Gafni MK (United Torah Judaism) has called on the management of First International Bank of Israel (TASE: FTIN1;FTIN5) to come to the table and talk to the workers committee despite the continuing strike. The committee today discussed the strike at the bank, which has lasted 10 days, and will debate the strike again if it continues next week. First International Bank is managed by CEO Smadar Barber-Tsadik.

Gafni said, "My feeling is that in contrast to other banks, the management of First International does not take the subject seriously. Tell Smadar Barber that I wasn't born yesterday.

David Zaken of the Bank of Israel's Supervisor of Banks told the committee, "The sides must understand that there is a bank here. The situation has become intolerable. I'm in favor of arbitration."

Finance committee members criticized First International for sending low-level representatives to the meeting. The finance committee spokesman said, the debate took place, "after many complaints by customers who have been hurt by the strike."

First International Bank's share price rose 0.5% on the TASE this afternoon to NIS 62.13.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 13, 2010

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