Israel
Jerusalem
Current time
Monday, June 22, 2026
- Capital
- Jerusalem
- Time zone
- Asia/Jerusalem
- UTC offset
- UTC+3
- DST
- DST
Israel operates on Israel Standard Time (IST), which is UTC+2 during standard time and switches to Israel Daylight Time (IDT), UTC+3, during daylight saving. The country observes DST from late March to late October, aligning closely with European summer time schedules. Jerusalem, the capital, follows the same time zone as the rest of the country.
Time Zone and Daylight Saving
Israel uses a single time zone (Asia/Jerusalem) nationwide, with daylight saving time (DST) observed annually. Clocks move forward by one hour in late March (UTC+3) and back in late October (UTC+2). This schedule may vary slightly year-to-year due to religious holidays. Businesses and public services operate on this time, making coordination with Europe (CET/CEST) straightforward, with Israel typically 1 hour ahead of CET in winter and aligned in summer.
When planning meetings with partners in Israel, note that the country’s DST transitions may differ from those in the US or Asia. For example, Israel’s DST ends earlier than in Europe, creating a brief period where the time difference with London increases from 2 to 3 hours in late October.
Cross-Border Scheduling Tips
Israel shares time zones or close offsets with neighboring countries like Jordan (UTC+2/+3) but may differ from Egypt (UTC+2, no DST). For global scheduling, Israel is 7 hours ahead of New York (EST) in winter and 6 hours in summer, while it’s 5 hours behind Tokyo (JST) year-round. Avoid scheduling calls on Friday afternoons or Saturdays due to the Jewish Sabbath, when many businesses close.
Major holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur can affect business hours. During these periods, government offices and many private companies operate on reduced schedules. Always verify local holidays when planning international meetings to ensure smooth coordination.
FAQ
- Does Israel observe daylight saving time?
- Yes, Israel switches to Israel Daylight Time (UTC+3) from late March to late October, aligning closely with European DST schedules.
- What is the time difference between Israel and New York?
- Israel is 7 hours ahead of New York (EST) in winter and 6 hours ahead during daylight saving time (EDT).
- Are there multiple time zones in Israel?
- No, Israel operates on a single time zone (Asia/Jerusalem) throughout the country, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.