The court accepted a petition from the government saying it was politically motivated.

The head of Israel’s largest trade union, the Histadrut, says it will abide by the court decision and has instructed members to return to work.

Arnon Bar-David had called for the general strike, the first since the start of Gaza war, over the discovery of six dead captives in southern Gaza.

The strike aimed to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking and health care.

It led to closures and other disruptions around the Israel on Monday morning , including at its main international airport. But it was ignored in some areas, reflecting deep political divisions.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis poured into the streets late Sunday as much of the public blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying they could have been returned alive in a deal to end the nearly 11-month-old war on the occupied Palestinian territory.

But others support Netanyahu's strategy of maintaining military pressure on Hamas.

Airlines at Israel’s main international airport, Ben-Gurion, halted outgoing flights between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Those flights either departed early or were slightly delayed. Arriving flights continued as usual, according to the Israel Airports Authority.

But in Jerusalem, resident Avi Lavi said that "I think this is fair, the time has come to stand and to wake up, to do everything for the captives to come back alive."

The Histadrut said banks, some large malls and government offices had joined the strike, as well as some public transit services, although there did not appear to be major disruptions.

Municipalities in Israel’s populated central area, including Tel Aviv, participated, leading to shortened school hours. Other municipalities, including Jerusalem, did not participate.

* This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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