2026-01-01
The Palestine Monetary Authority issued Circular No. 4/2026 to all banks operating in Palestine, mandating the implementation of the official public holidays for religious and national occasions in 2026 as approved by the Palestinian Cabinet. This directive enforces the government's decision dated December 16, 2025, which establishes specific leave schedules for Islamic, Christian (Eastern and Western), and Samaritan employees based on attached official tables. The circular requires financial institutions to take necessary measures to ensure compliance with these statutory holiday periods throughout the year 2026.
Palestine Monetary Authority
Circular No. (4 / 2026) To all banks operating in Palestine Date: Thursday, January 08, 2026
Subject: Official Holidays for Religious and National Occasions in Palestine for the Year 2026
Based on the provisions of Article No. (73) of the Banks Law No. (9) of 2010, and in conjunction with the attached decision of the esteemed Cabinet of Ministers No. (3) of 2025 regarding the official holidays for religious and national occasions in Palestine for the year 2026, please take the necessary measures to implement the decision.
Supervision Group Palestine Monetary Authority
State of Palestine Cabinet of Ministers General Secretariat
Reference (A.A.M.W./2025/ 3.7 / 1288) December 18, 2025
Your Excellency, Head of the General Department of Civil Service, may God protect you,
Subject: Official Holidays for Religious and National Occasions in Palestine for the Year 2026
The General Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers extends its best regards and informs you of the decision issued by the Cabinet of Ministers during its weekly session No. (19/90) held on December 16, 2025, regarding the approval of official holiday days for religious and national occasions in the State of Palestine for the year 2026.
We kindly request you to take the necessary measures to implement the decision.
Please accept the highest regards and appreciation,
Dr. Dawas Dawas Secretary-General of the Cabinet of Ministers
Attached: The mentioned decision, tables. Copy: His Excellency the Prime Minister, may God protect him.
State of Palestine Cabinet of Ministers Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. (90/19/C.M/M) for the year 2025 Official Holidays for Religious and National Occasions in Palestine for the Year 2026
Based on the authorities vested in us by law; And upon the proposal of the Head of the General Department of Civil Service; And based on the requirements of public interest;
And after reviewing the Amended Basic Law of 2003 and its amendments; And the Civil Service Law No. (4) of 1998 and its amendments and executive regulations;
The Cabinet of Ministers decided in its session held in Ramallah on December 16, 2025, the following:
Article One Approval of the official holiday days for religious and national occasions in the State of Palestine for the year 2026, according to the tables attached to this decision, which are authenticated with the seal of the General Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Article Two The competent authorities shall implement the provisions of this decision, each within its jurisdiction, and it shall be effective from the date of its issuance and published in the Official Gazette.
Issued in Ramallah on December 16, 2025.
Dr. Dawas Dawas Secretary-General of the Cabinet of Ministers
State of Palestine Cabinet of Ministers General Secretariat Reference (A.A.M.W./2025/ 3.7 / 1288) December 18, 2025
Official Holidays in Palestine
Table One National Occasions and Holidays
| Occasion | Date | Duration of Official Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Eid al-Fitr | 1 Shawwal | Vigil and three days |
| Eid al-Adha | 10 Dhu al-Hijjah | Vigil and four days |
| Islamic New Year | 1 Muharram | One day |
| Prophet's Birthday | 12 Rabi' al-Awwal | One day |
| Isra' and Mi'raj | 27 Rajab | One day |
| New Year's Day | January 1 | One day |
| International Women's Day | March 8 | One day |
| Easter Sunday | April 12 | One day |
| Labor Day | May 1 | One day |
| Independence Day | November 15 | One day |
| Western Christmas | December 25 | One day |
| Eastern Christmas | January 7 | One day |
State of Palestine Cabinet of Ministers General Secretariat Reference (A.A.M.W./2025/ 3.7 / 1288) December 18, 2025
Table Two Religious Occasions and Holidays considered official holidays for Eastern Christian Employees
| Occasion | Date | Duration of Official Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas | 2026/01/07 | Two days |
| Eastern New Year | 2026/01/14 | One day |
| Epiphany | 2026/01/19 | One day |
| Palm Sunday | 2026/04/05 | One day |
| Maundy Thursday | 2026/04/09 | One day |
| Good Friday | 2026/04/10 | One day |
| Holy Saturday | 2026/04/11 | One day |
| Easter Sunday | 2026/04/12 | Two days |
| Ascension Thursday | 2026/05/21 | One day |
| Pentecost Sunday | 2026/05/31 | One day |
State of Palestine Cabinet of Ministers General Secretariat Reference (A.A.M.W./2025/ 3.7 / 1288) December 18, 2025
Table Three Religious Occasions and Holidays considered official holidays for Western Christian Employees
| Occasion | Date | Duration of Official Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Western New Year | 2026/01/01 | One day |
| Epiphany | 2026/01/06 | One day |
| Palm Sunday | 2026/03/29 | One day |
| Maundy Thursday | 2026/04/02 | One day |
| Good Friday | 2026/04/03 | One day |
| Holy Saturday | 2026/04/04 | One day |
| Easter Sunday | 2026/04/05 | Two days |
| Ascension Thursday | 2026/05/14 | One day |
| Pentecost Sunday | 2026/05/24 | One day |
| Christmas | 2026/12/25 | Two days |
State of Palestine Cabinet of Ministers General Secretariat Reference (A.A.M.W./2025/ 3.7 / 1288) December 18, 2025
Table Four Religious Occasions and Holidays considered official holidays for Samaritan Employees
| Occasion | Date | Duration of Official Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Passover and Sacrifice | 2026/04/29-30 | Two days |
| Last days of Passover | 2026/05/07 | One day |
| Feast of the Giving of the Torah | 2026/06/17 | One day |
| Feast of Ascension/Harvest | 2026/06/21 | One day |
| Hebrew New Year | 2026/10/11 | One day |
| Day of Atonement/Fasting | 2026/10/20-21 | Two days |
| Feast of Tabernacles/Booths | 2026/10/25 | One day |
| Feast of the End of Holidays | 2026/11/01 | One day |