Public holidays in Israel

For exact dates in the Gregorian calendar see Jewish and Israeli holidays 2000–2050.

Public holidays in Israel are national holidays officially recognized by the Knesset, Israel's parliament. The State of Israel has adopted most traditional religious Jewish holidays as part of its national calendar, while also having established new modern holiday observances since its founding in 1948. Additionally, Christians, Muslims, and Druze have the right to Holiday leave on the holidays of their own religions. Of the religious and modern holidays below, some are bank holidays / national holidays requiring all schools, government institutions, financial sector, and most retailers in Jewish Israeli society to be closed, while other holidays are marked as days of note or memorial remembrances with no breaks in public or private sector activities.

As is the case with all religious Jewish holidays, most public holidays in Israel generally begin and end at sundown, and follow the Hebrew calendar. Because of this, most holidays in Israel fall on a different Gregorian calendar date each year, which syncs every 19 years with the Hebrew calendar.

Shabbat, the weekly Sabbath day of rest, in Israel begins every Friday evening just before sundown, ending Saturday evening just after sundown. Most of the Israeli workforce, including schools, banks, public transportation, government offices, and retailers within Jewish Israeli society are shut down during these approximately 25 hours, with some non-Jewish retailers and most non-kosher restaurants still open.

Public holidays

Jewish holidays are defined by the Hebrew calendar. Christian holidays are defined by the Gregorian calendar for Catholics and the Julian calendar for Orthodox. Druze holidays are also defined by the Gregorian calendar, with the sole exception of Eid al-Adha which is also celebrated by Muslims (and therefore defined by the Lunar Hijri calendar). Secular observances which are common to all religions are defined by the Hebrew calendar if they are of a uniquely national nature (such as Yom Ha-Atzmaut), and by the Gregorian calendar if they are of a global or international nature (such as Victory in Europe Day).

The following are official holidays imposed by government authorities, except in cases of emergency or entities that require daily operational activities.

Optional holidays or Observances

Jewish holidays are defined by the Hebrew calendar. Christian holidays are defined by the Gregorian calendar for Catholics and the Julian calendar for Orthodox. Druze holidays are also defined by the Gregorian calendar, with the sole exception of Eid al-Adha which is also celebrated by Muslims (and therefore defined by the Lunar Hijri calendar). Secular observances which are common to all religions are defined by the Hebrew calendar if they are of a uniquely national nature (such as Yom Ha-Atzmaut), and by the Gregorian calendar if they are of a global or international nature (such as Victory in Europe Day).

Jewish holidays

Christian, Druze and Secular holidays

Muslim holidays

See also

• Jewish holidays

External links