Yesterday was a new experience: A Sunday off for thousands of workers in Israel!

Yesterday, Sunday, a significant portion of public sector employees enjoyed their first long weekend thanks to the agreement reached last November between Histadrut Chairman Arnon  Bar-David and the Payroll Supervisor at the Finance Ministry. As part of the agreement, it was agreed to grant eight "Blue and White" vacation days - divided into four days each in 2025 and 2026.

The aim of the move is to reduce the gap in vacations between parents and school children, making it easier for working parents, and to increase economic activity at this time.

Additional Sundays off will be held this year on the following dates:
Sunday, August 24, 2025 (end of summer vacation).
Sunday, October 5, 2025 (between Yom Kippur and Sukkot).
Sunday, December 21, 2025 (eighth night of Hanukkah). 

The decision is part of a series of broad agreements in preparation for the 2025 budget. The agreements reached are intended to strengthen the state's economy, which helps the country to meet security needs and the challenges following the war.

Yesterday, Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar David said "The first long weekend is underway and we must not forget that this is a historic achievement. After years of efforts to promote the initiative, the Histadrut under my leadership has succeeded where many before us have tried and failed. Eight long weekends constitute another significant achievement that will help strengthen working people in Israel. The move constitutes an important step towards a more appropriate balance between work and leisure, and contributes to stabilizing the economy and improving public service. We will work with employers' organizations to apply the long weekends to the entire economy."

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