Israeli's southern cities shut down to protest layoffs

Thousands of Israelis in three southern cities are slated to strike Sunday in solidarity with Israel Chemicals workers who are facing layoffs, and to protest the bleak state of employment in the Negev region as a whole.

In Dimona, Arad and Yeruham, city services will be shut down, and some schools will be closed.

In Dimona, which first announced it would strike to protest the layoffs, a protest march, expected to draw thousands from around the country including a number of politicians, is also expected, and demonstrators are expected to block a main highway leading through the city.

Middle and high schools in Dimona (grades seven through 12) will be closed, while schools in Arad and Yeruham will remain open, though all municipal services will be shut down for the day in all three cities.