Enraged at Job Loss, 400 Workers Smash Into Israeli Ministry
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JERUSALEM — Hundreds of enraged Israeli workers broke into the Finance Ministry today, smashing windows and clashing with police who fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, police said.
A Jerusalem police spokesman said five police officers were injured slightly and four demonstrators were detained.
Israel army radio said 15 workers were injured by tear gas inhalation and several ministry officials were injured by broken glass.
The violence started when 400 workers from Beit Shemesh Engines, the nation’s largest producer of airplane engines, demonstrated near the ministry to protest the breakdown of talks on compensation for 260 workers laid off from their jobs.
Israel radio said the workers set a fire outside the building, then used a garbage can to force open the door and vandalize the ministry.
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