Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar announces that, beginning on Saturday night, all wartime restrictions on sports and cultural events will be lifted, and they will be able to resume full activity.
The removal of restrictions comes days before Israel’s Memorial and Independence Days, which will be observed beginning on Monday evening and Tuesday evening, respectively. The announcement follows the onset of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that began at midnight, and comes amid a two-week ceasefire in the Iran war.
“I have just concluded with my friend, Defense Minister Israel Katz, that beginning with the conclusion of Shabbat, all restrictions will be lifted. The public will return to sports fields as usual, culture will return to full activity — including all performances and events planned across Israel celebrating Independence Day,” Zohar posts on X.
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From the Liveblog of
Friday, April 17, 2026
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