Client Update – Election Day and Workplace Operations

The general elections for the 26th Knesset will take place on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.

Pursuant to Section 10 of the Basic Law: The Knesset, election day is a statutory paid holiday.

Accordingly, as a general rule, employees (who are Israeli citizens) are not required to work on election day, and no annual leave entitlement should be deducted from their accrued annual leave balance.

Eligibility for payment in respect of the election day holiday, pursuant to Section 136 of the Knesset Elections Law [Consolidated Version], 1969, is subject to the employee having worked for the employer for at least 14 days.

Please note

On 22 September 2026, the Central Elections Committee exercised its authority under Section 10 of the Basic Law: The Knesset and Section 71A of the Knesset Elections Law to designate the public services that will operate on election day.

Please find a link to the Committee’s publication (in Hebrew).

During which hours does the election day holiday apply?

The law does not specify the hours during which election day is deemed a holiday. Since voting hours at most polling stations are from 07:00 am until 22:00 pm, it is generally accepted that the holiday applies during these hours. Accordingly, where a workplace operates outside these hours, those additional hours may be treated as periods to which the election day holiday does not apply.

Payment for employees who work on election day

The law does not expressly address the rate of pay due to employees who work on election day. However, based on established practice, which has also been recognised in case law, employees who work on election day are generally either entitled to pay at a rate of 200% of their regular wage; or, their ordinary pay together with paid time off equivalent to the number of hours worked on election day.

Important

Even where an employee is required to work on election day, employers should ensure that the employee is able to exercise their right to vote.

If you have any questions regarding employment arrangements on election day or employee entitlements, please do not hesitate to contact us for specific advice.

We wish you a successful election day.

Employment Department

Herzog Fox & Neeman