Gideon Sa'ar ion press conference
Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO
Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Wednesday announced he has adopted the recommendations of a committee tasked with examining extending Daylight Savings Time.
Sa'ar will bring a bill on the matter to a vote in the cabinet and Knesset next month. If approved, the bill will see Daylight Savings Times extended by three weeks to more than 200 days, as early as this year. This would mean DST will run until the end of October.
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"I believe that the bill will pass both the cabinet and Knesset vote," Sa'ar said in a press conference. "It will have a direct impact on each and every one of us as well as a positive effect in the fields of trade, leisure, energy, health and road safety."
The DST committee examined 60 foreign studies and 50 position papers and consulted with experts, public officials and religious leaders.
"Another hour of daylight will contribute to public welfare and the economy," said committee chairman Shmuel Abohav.
Currently, Israel's DST runs from the end of March until the beginning of October (193 days) after being extended by Interior Minister Eli Yishai.
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