Israel

Holidays & Observances in Israel

Israel is a Middle Eastern country on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the only country in the world with a Jewish majority population. Judaism is an important part of everyday life in Israel. The Hebrew calendar is used on a daily basis and the work holidays are determined by Jewish holidays. Many businesses close on Saturdays in Israel to observe the Sabbath. The capitol city of Jerusalem is important to Christianity and Islam in addition to Judaism, so holidays for all of those religions are celebrated to some extent. Israel has been involved in conflicts with its Arab neighbors since its conception, but holidays are celebrated with great enthusiasm despite the conflicts.

Upcoming Popular Holidays

Country Observances

Observance	Country Holiday	Observance Type	Holiday Date
Daylight Saving Time	DST starts	Time Related	Fri, 03/29/2019
Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)	Yom HaShoah	Spiritual, Religious, Beliefs	Wed, 05/01/2019
Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day)	Yom Ha’atzmaut	National, Federal, Bank, Public	Thu, 05/09/2019
Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day)	Yom Ha’atzmaut	National, Federal, Bank, Public	Thu, 05/09/2019
Lag BaOmer	Lag BaOmer	Spiritual, Religious, Beliefs	Thu, 05/23/2019
Tisha B'Av	Tisha B'Av	Spiritual, Religious, Beliefs	Sun, 08/11/2019
Yom Kippur	Yom Kippur	National, Federal, Bank, Public	Wed, 10/09/2019
Yom Kippur	Yom Kippur	National, Federal, Bank, Public	Wed, 10/09/2019
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)	First Day of Sukkot	National, Federal, Bank, Public	Mon, 10/14/2019
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)	First Day of Sukkot	National, Federal, Bank, Public	Mon, 10/14/2019
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah	Shemimi Atzeret / Simchat Torah	National, Federal, Bank, Public	Mon, 10/21/2019
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah	Shemimi Atzeret / Simchat Torah	National, Federal, Bank, Public	Mon, 10/21/2019
Daylight Saving Time	DST ends	Time Related	Sun, 10/27/2019
Hanukkah	Hanukkah (Holiday of Lights)	Spiritual, Religious, Beliefs	Mon, 12/23/2019
Tu B'Shevat	Tu B'Shevat	Spiritual, Religious, Beliefs	Mon, 02/10/2020

National, Federal, Bank Holidays

Yom Ha’atzmaut	Thu, 05/09/2019
Yom Kippur	Wed, 10/09/2019
First Day of Sukkot	Mon, 10/14/2019
Shemimi Atzeret / Simchat Torah	Mon, 10/21/2019