Histadrut ha-kelalit shel ha-'ovdim be-Erets-Yiśra'el

The General Federation of Labor in Israel, or Histadrut, is Israel's organization of trade unions and the largest voluntary organization in the country. The organization was created in 1920 to champion the interests of Jewish workers in the city of Haifa. Histadrut became a powerful figure in the Labour Zionist movement as well as a significant employer and state builder within Israel. The organization has many arms which are active in various aspects of Israeli life including health care, the economy, and education. In 1960, Arab workers were admitted with full membership. During the 1980s and 1990s, Histadrut sold much of its holdings to private companies, but is still part owner in a variety of industries. Histadrut is a member of the International Trade Union Confederation.