Israel approves switch to Monday-to-Friday trading on Tel Aviv Stock Exchange

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Monday he would approve the transition to Monday-to-Friday trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) in order to align Israeli markets with international standards.

The change is expected to take effect at the beginning of 2026, however, and trading on Fridays will conclude at 2 p.m. local time to ensure that the Jewish sabbath can be observed.

Israel's stock trading days currently run from Sunday to Thursday.

"This move will make it easier for global investors to access the Israeli capital market, invest in our market without unnecessary barriers, and bolster the Israeli economy in the long term," Smotrich said in a statement.

Itai Ben-Zeev, the chief executive of TASE, said in transitioning to Monday to Friday trading will open the door to more international investment, enhance the appeal of Israeli companies and accelerate growth of the local capital market.

TASE has long hoped a decision to shift away from Israel's Sunday to Thursday work week to one that overlaps more with Wall Street and European bourses would win it inclusion in global index provider MSCI's Europe category.

MSCI in 2022 rejected shifting the country to a new region, citing differing market trading days as a key reason.

Israel's shekel currency is already traded on Fridays and more services keep running during the sabbath in Tel Aviv than in most other Israeli cities.