Israel Shifts to Winter Time October 25, Affecting Daily Routines

Israel will transition to winter time this coming Sunday, October 25, when clocks are set back one hour at 2:00 AM. This change, which will allow Israelis an extra hour of sleep, marks the end of daylight saving time. The shift is mandated by a 2013 law that requires clocks to be moved back on the last Sunday of October each year. Winter time will remain in effect until March 26, 2027. Most smartphones will adjust automatically, but users with manual settings should ensure their device is set to the "Jerusalem" time zone. The change means both sunrise and sunset will occur an hour earlier. This earlier darkness in the evenings may lead to increased feelings of sleepiness and fatigue for some, as the hormone melatonin, which regulates sleep cycles, is produced more in darker conditions. The seasonal time change aims to align daily schedules with natural light, extending daylight in the evenings during summer and bringing earlier dawns in winter to optimize the use of daylight for domestic and economic purposes. Proponents of maintaining permanent daylight saving time argue that eliminating the clock change would allow for more evening family time, reduce traffic accidents during darkness, and prevent economic losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of shekels. They also cite the inconvenience caused by time differences with other countries. Several nations in Asia, Africa, and South America have already abandoned seasonal clock changes, and the European Parliament voted in favor of abolishing it in 2019, allowing member states to choose between permanent standard or daylight saving time. While the issue has been debated in Israel, the Knesset has opted to retain the current system.