Business Hours and National Holidays
While traveling in Palestine, it is important to keep note of the business hours and national holidays.
On Fridays, the predominantly Muslim areas such as East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank close all day. Sundays are the official closing days of Christian owned businesses which are concentrated mainly in Jerusalem’s Old City, Bethlehem and Ramallah areas. On Shabbat (Saturday), all Israeli shops, offices and places of entertainment close down. Shabat starts at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday. Standard shopping hours are Monday to Thursday 8a.m. – 1p.m. and 4p.m. – 7p.m. or later.