Israel's foreign ministry spokesman says ministry workers are broadening their three-week strike for a salary hike by instructing diplomats abroad to cut off all contacts with their host countries and refusing to process some visa applications.
The foreign ministry said Sunday that visitors from the United States, the European Union, Russia and Canada can continue to get visas at ports of entry.
But those who need to apply in advance of traveling, such as tourists, students and foreign workers from China, India, Thailand and most of Africa, will have to wait until the strike ends.
Last week, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev canceled a trip to Israel planned for mid-January because the strike made it difficult to plan his official visit.
