Israel Prepares for Annual Daylight Saving Time Change

Israel will revert to standard time, commonly known as winter time, on Sunday, October 25, 2026. At 2:00 AM, clocks will be turned back one hour to 1:00 AM. This annual shift occurs because daylight saving time, which begins in the spring, extends daylight hours into the evening for increased activity and commerce. The return to standard time ensures mornings are lighter earlier, at the cost of evenings darkening sooner.

The practice of adjusting clocks spread through Europe during World War I as a measure to conserve fuel, and was later adopted by various countries. In Israel, the dates for these transitions are set by law, with daylight saving time concluding on the last Sunday of October.

Proponents of extending daylight hours into the evening cite convenience for activities and commerce, as well as potential energy savings. Conversely, opponents of the twice-yearly time change point to disruptions in sleep patterns and daily routines, and question the extent of actual energy savings.

Discussions about eliminating these seasonal clock changes have occurred internationally. In the European Union, a proposal to end the practice was made in 2018, but no final decision has been reached. Similarly, the United States lacks complete uniformity, with Hawaii and most of Arizona not observing daylight saving time. The core debate, therefore, centers not on whether to add daylight, but on which hours people prefer to have more light.