Israel Switches to Winter Time, Ending Daylight Saving
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Israel will switch back to standard time on October 25, 2026, at 2 AM, gaining an hour of sleep but experiencing earlier sunsets. This change, mandated by law, aims to align work with daylight hours. While most devices update automatically, manual checks are recommended. The annual debate over abolishing standard time continues, with many countries moving away from the practice.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel switches to standard time on October 25, 2026, at 2 AM, turning clocks back one hour.
- The change provides an extra hour of sleep but results in earlier sunsets and sunrises.
- Most electronic devices will update automatically, but manual verification of settings is advised.
- The shift aims to align human activity with daylight hours for economic and practical reasons.
- The annual debate over eliminating standard time continues, with international trends moving away from clock changes.
Israel will revert to standard time on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 2:00 AM, when clocks will be turned back one hour to 1:00 AM. This change marks the end of daylight saving time, resulting in an extra hour of sleep but earlier sunrises and sunsets. Standard time will be in effect for five months until daylight saving time resumes on March 26, 2027.
Most electronic devices like smartphones and computers will automatically adjust. However, users are advised to verify their device settings, ensuring automatic updates are enabled and the time zone is set to "Jerusalem" to guarantee alarm clocks function correctly.
The shift is regulated by Israel's Time Law of 2013, which mandates the transition to standard time on the last Sunday of October. Dr. Oleg Popov, Manager of Time and Frequency Measurements at the Ministry of Economy's National Laboratory of Physics, explained that the primary goal is to align human activity with daylight hours, optimizing work productivity by ensuring most people wake up after sunrise during winter months.
Biologically, the reduced daylight and earlier darkness increase melatonin levels, potentially causing fatigue. Decreased sunlight exposure can also lower serotonin, a mood-regulating hormone, contributing to winter blues. The debate over abolishing standard time and remaining on daylight saving year-round resurfaces annually, with proponents citing benefits like increased family time, reduced electricity costs, and fewer evening traffic accidents. Several countries have already abandoned the practice, and discussions are ongoing in the US and Europe, though Israel's Knesset has maintained the current law.
Dr. Popov further detailed that Israel's official time is maintained by the National Laboratory of Physics in Jerusalem, which uses three cesium atomic clocks. This system compares results with global laboratories approximately 86,400 times daily to ensure accuracy for broadcasts and communications. Israel's standard time is UTC+2, while daylight saving time is UTC+3.
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