Israel Shifts to Winter Time October 24-25, Gaining an Hour of Sleep

Israel will transition to winter time on the night of Saturday, October 24, to Sunday, October 25, 2026. At 2:00 AM, clocks will be set back one hour, effectively granting an extra hour of sleep. This annual change, mandated by the Time Determination Law and overseen by the Ministry of Interior, occurs on the last Sunday of October. Daylight Saving Time will resume on March 27, 2027.

The shift to winter time aims to align daylight hours with the shorter days of the season, ensuring earlier sunrises to facilitate school and work schedules, public transportation, and road safety. Setting clocks back at 2:00 AM minimizes disruption to daily activities and maintains synchronization with international time standards (UTC+2 in winter, UTC+3 in summer). The transition occurs on a weekend to lessen the impact on the work week, with the return to Daylight Saving Time happening on a Thursday night to Friday morning.

Most smartphones automatically adjust to the time change, but manual updates may be necessary for devices like microwaves, ovens, and car clocks. For iPhones, users should ensure "Automatic" date and time settings are enabled and "Jerusalem" is selected. Android users need to verify that "Automatic date and time" is active in their settings.

Health experts note that the earlier sunset can sometimes lead to feelings of lethargy, but also state that the body synchronizes better with natural sunlight. The change can affect sleep patterns, potentially causing difficulty falling asleep or waking up tired, particularly for children and the elderly. Teenagers may experience heightened sleep difficulties due to biological changes combined with the time shift.

While Israel observes seasonal time changes, some countries like Japan, China, and India maintain a fixed time year-round. Russia briefly experimented with permanent summer time before reinstating winter time due to public dissatisfaction. The European Union has debated allowing member states to opt out of the clock changes, but currently adheres to the standard schedule.

Ron Tomer, president of the Manufacturers Association of Israel, has advocated for year-round Daylight Saving Time, citing economic benefits of approximately NIS 440 million annually, including NIS 116 million in energy savings. Proponents also argue for improved quality of life, increased leisure activities, and enhanced road safety.