Secular Israelis are protesting because the Orthodox-controlled Interior Ministry has tailored daylight-saving time this year for the convenience of the observant minority.
Summer time, which allows an extra hour of daylight, will be in effect for 154 days, slightly longer than in past years, but shorter than in the United States and Europe.
It will begin on March 24 and end on Aug. 25, to accommodate Orthodox Jews who otherwise would have to wait until a late hour to recite Selichot, the prayers that precede the High Holy Days.
In the United States, clocks revert to standard time at the end of October. In Europe, standard time resumes at the end of September.
Non-religious Jews have accused Interior Minister Arye Deri of bias toward Orthodox demands.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
