Gideon Golber, the CEO of the port often referred to as “Eilat” under Israeli occupation, announced in an interview with the Hebrew newspaper “Maariv” that he is forced to lay off half of the workers due to the port’s closure for the past eight months. This decision stems from ongoing operations by the Houthi group in the Red Sea, which have significantly impacted the port’s functionality.
Golber explained that the port of Eilateilat, serving as Israel’s southern gateway to the Far East, Australia, and Africa, completely ceased operations at the end of November last year. This halt came after the Houthis captured an NYK line ship, took its crew hostage, and blocked the navigational passage, paralyzing the port’s activities.
He detailed the economic losses suffered by the port of Eilat due to this shutdown, noting the dire financial strains forcing the imminent layoff of 50% of the port’s workers this week due to inability to meet payroll expenses. Eilat port employs about 110 direct operational staff, with an additional 40 to 100 security personnel, varying with activity levels. Furthermore, 250 to 300 individuals work indirectly with the port. Since the cessation of operations, the port has faced mounting expenses without any income, covering costs such as salaries, taxes, and property taxes.
Golber also shared with “Yedioth Ahronoth” that the port is paying salaries amounting to 3.5 million shekels (approximately $952,000) monthly. Since the beginning of the conflict, the port has lost about 50 million shekels ($13.61 million) and has received no governmental aid.
The Houthis, in solidarity with Gaza which has been facing an Israeli war supported by the US since October 7, have targeted Israeli or Israeli-affiliated shipping vessels in the Red Sea with missiles and drones. Since early this year, a US-led coalition has launched airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in Yemen in response to their attacks in the Red Sea, prompting occasional retaliations from the group.
With escalating tensions in January, spurred by interventions from Washington and London, the Houthi group declared all American and British ships as military targets.
