What Are The Public Holidays in Israel in 2026?

List of Public Holidays in Israel (2026)

Israel’s public holidays are primarily based on the Jewish calendar, so dates shift each year. Use this 2026 list to plan staffing, leave approvals, and payroll for your team in Israel.

Do Employers Have to Provide Paid Leave on Public Holidays?

Yes, under Israeli law many of the Jewish public holidays listed above are treated as paid rest days for eligible employees, similar to the weekly rest day. The main framework is the Hours of Work and Rest Law, which requires employers to provide a paid rest day on these holidays to employees who have completed the qualifying period (commonly at least three months of employment, though practice can vary and collective agreements may be more generous).

For Jewish employees, the official Jewish holidays are generally recognized as paid holidays. Non‑Jewish employees are usually entitled to choose either the Jewish holidays or the holidays of their own religion, but not both, and this choice should be documented clearly. Israel does not have regional public holiday regimes – the same national rules apply across the country, although specific sectors and workplaces may have additional days off under collective agreements or individual contracts.

When a public holiday falls on the employee’s regular weekly rest day, the employee is typically still entitled to holiday pay, but the calculation can be technical. If an employee works on a public holiday with the employer’s approval, they are usually entitled to both their regular holiday pay and additional premium pay for the hours worked. Part‑time and hourly employees may also be entitled to holiday pay if they meet statutory conditions, often based on average days worked in the period before the holiday. Because the rules are detailed and can change, you should confirm entitlements with up‑to‑date legal advice or a local payroll expert.

Legal Penalties for Not Providing Paid Holiday Leave

Failing to provide statutory holiday rest or pay in Israel can expose your company to administrative fines, civil claims, and, in serious or repeated cases, criminal liability. The Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services is the main enforcement authority and can conduct inspections, demand records, and impose monetary sanctions for violations of the Hours of Work and Rest Law and related regulations.

Employees can also bring claims before the labor courts for unpaid holiday pay, premium pay for work on holidays, and related damages. Courts may award back pay, interest, indexation, and sometimes legal costs. Common employer mistakes include treating holidays as “optional” leave days, failing to pay eligible part‑time staff, miscalculating average pay for hourly workers, or not recognizing that a holiday overlapping with the weekly rest day may still trigger pay obligations.

Because penalties and enforcement practices can change, and collective agreements may impose stricter standards than the statute, it is safest to maintain clear written policies, accurate time and attendance records, and to review your approach with local counsel or a specialist provider.

How Do Holidays Affect Overtime Thresholds?

In Israel, public holidays interact with overtime rules by treating the holiday as a rest day. Employees who do not work on the holiday are generally entitled to their regular holiday pay without it counting toward their weekly working‑time limits. When an employee does work on a public holiday, those hours are usually paid at a premium rate that is higher than standard overtime, often around 150% or more of the regular hourly wage, plus potential additional compensation such as a rest day in lieu, depending on the sector and any applicable collective agreement.

Holiday work can therefore be more expensive than ordinary overtime. Employers should track holiday hours separately from regular hours, confirm which days are treated as statutory holidays for each employee, and ensure that payroll systems apply the correct premium rate. Because specific percentages and thresholds can differ by industry, agreement, and evolving legal interpretation, you should verify the applicable rates for your workforce rather than relying on a single generic rule.

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Managing Israel's public holidays and leave rules doesn’t have to be complex. Playroll keeps you 100% compliant by automatically tracking local holidays, observed days, and pay requirements –  so your team is paid correctly and on time, every time.

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