Regulatory Alerts2026-01-08
Added
Palestine Monetary Authority Circular No. 1: Official Holidays for Religious and National Occasions in Palestine for 2026
The Palestine Monetary Authority requires all specialized lending institutions operating in Palestine to implement the official holidays for religious and national occasions in Palestine for 2026, as approved by Cabinet Decision No. (3) of 2025. The document mandates adherence to the specific dates and durations for public holidays, including distinct schedules for Eastern Christian, Western Christian, and Samaritan employees, effective from the date of issuance.
Palestine Monetary Authority
Circular No. ( /2026) To all specialized lending institutions operating in Palestine Date: Thursday, 08 January, 2026
Subject: Official Holidays for Religious and National Occasions in Palestine for the year 2026
Based on the provisions of Article No. (22) of Decision No. (132) of 2011 concerning the licensing and supervision system for specialized lending institutions and its amendments, and attached to the esteemed Cabinet Decision No. (3) of 2025 concerning the official holidays for religious and national occasions in Palestine for the year 2026, please take the necessary measures to implement the decision.
Supervisory Group Palestine Monetary Authority
State of Palestine Cabinet of Ministers General Secretariat
Reference: G.S.C./2025/3.D/1288 18 December 2025
To His Excellency the Head of the General Department of Civil Service, may God protect him
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 Cabinet Decision issued during its weekly session No. (19/90) held on 16/12/2025, regarding the approval of the official holidays for religious and national occasions in the State of Palestine for the year 2026.
We kindly request taking the necessary measures to implement the decision.
Please accept the highest regards and appreciation,
Dr. Dawas Dawas General Secretary 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 Decision No. (3/19/90/G.S.C.) for the year 2025 Official Holidays for Religious and National Occasions in Palestine for the year 2026
Based on the powers authorized to 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 16/12/2025 the following:
Article One Approval of the official holidays for religious and national occasions in the State of Palestine for the year 2026, according to the tables attached to this decision, and 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 16/12/2025.
Dr. Dawas Dawas General Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers
State of Palestine Cabinet of Ministers General Secretariat Reference: G.S.C./2025/3.D/1288 18 December 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 |
| Gregorian New Year | 1 January | One day |
| International Women's Day | 8 March | One day |
| Easter Sunday | 12 April | One day |
| Labor Day | 1 May | One day |
| Independence Day | 15 November | One day |
| Western Christmas | 25 December | One day |
| Eastern Christmas | 7 January | One day |
State of Palestine Cabinet of Ministers General Secretariat Reference: G.S.C./2025/3.D/1288 18 December 2025
Table Two Religious Occasions and Holidays considered official holidays for Eastern Christian employees
| Occasion | Date | Duration of Official Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas | 07/01/2026 | Two days |
| Eastern New Year | 14/01/2026 | One day |
| Epiphany | 19/01/2026 | One day |
| Palm Sunday | 05/04/2026 | One day |
| Maundy Thursday | 09/04/2026 | One day |
| Good Friday | 10/04/2026 | One day |
| Holy Saturday | 11/04/2026 | One day |
| Easter Sunday | 12/04/2026 | Two days |
| Ascension Thursday | 21/05/2026 | One day |
| Pentecost Sunday | 31/05/2026 | One day |
State of Palestine Cabinet of Ministers General Secretariat Reference: G.S.C./2025/3.D/1288 18 December 2025
Table Three Religious Occasions and Holidays considered official holidays for Western Christian employees
| Occasion | Date | Duration of Official Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Western New Year | 01/01/2026 | One day |
| Epiphany | 06/01/2026 | One day |
| Palm Sunday | 29/03/2026 | One day |
| Maundy Thursday | 02/04/2026 | One day |
| Good Friday | 03/04/2026 | One day |
| Holy Saturday | 04/04/2026 | One day |
| Easter Sunday | 05/04/2026 | Two days |
| Ascension Thursday | 14/05/2026 | One day |
| Pentecost Sunday | 24/05/2026 | One day |
| Christmas | 25/12/2026 | Two days |
State of Palestine Cabinet of Ministers General Secretariat Reference: G.S.C./2025/3.D/1288 18 December 2025
Table Four Religious Occasions and Holidays considered official holidays for Samaritan employees
| Occasion | Date | Duration of Official Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Passover and Sacrifice | 29-30/04/2026 | Two days |
| Last days of Passover | 07/05/2026 | One day |
| Feast of the Descent of the Torah | 17/06/2026 | One day |
| Feast of Ascension/Harvest | 21/06/2026 | One day |
| Jewish New Year | 11/10/2026 | One day |
| Yom Kippur/Fasting | 20-21/10/2026 | Two days |
| Sukkot/Tabernacle | 25/10/2026 | One day |
| Feast of the End of Holidays | 01/11/2026 | One day |
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