Israeli port workers ended their strike in Haifa yesterday, a day after launching their walkout against privatisation plans.

A Chamber of Shipping spokesman said the workers had agreed to go back after the labour court ordered talks on employment conditions.

Monday’s strike caused significant disruption, as most Israeli goods are transported by ship.

About 20 ships were left queuing to unload at the dock and there was a long line of lorries waiting to take their load.

Dockers’ anger has been bubbling away over ongoing plans to allow two privately owned ports to operate alongside the publicly owned Haida and Ashdod.

And on Sunday the Finance Ministry announced a three-year plan to privatise state-owned companies that would see Ashdod port sold in 2015 and Haifa the year after.