Recognize Yom Kippur as official holiday, Israel asks UN

Deputy FM and Israeli envoy to UN ask that Day of Atonement join Christmas, Eid Al-Fitr and others as official UN holiday

By JTA 2 October 2013, 1:38 am Edit
Thousands gather for prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City on the night before Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, September 13, 2013. (Dror Garti/Flash90)
Thousands gather for prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City on the night before Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, September 13, 2013. (Dror Garti/Flash90)

Israel asked the United Nations to recognize Yom Kippur as an official UN holiday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin and Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Ron Prosor, met Monday with UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson to request international recognition for Yom Kippur, Haaretz reported.

With the recognition, UN employees would be allowed to take a day off without having to give up a vacation day.

There are 10 UN holidays, including the Muslim observances of Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha and the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, along with Christmas Day, Palm Sunday, Easter and the Islamic New Year.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
JOIN THE TOI COMMUNITY
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.