Israel Wants Yom Kippur to be Official UN Holiday, Like Muslim and Christian Days

Israel is seeking UN recognition of Yom Kippur as an official holiday on the U.N. calendar. The U.N. already officially recognizes two Muslim holidays - Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha - and two Christian holidays – Good Friday and Christmas – but not one Jewish holiday.

The 10 official holidays at UN New York Headquarters are: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day, Independence Day, Eid al-Fitr, Labor Day, Eid al-Adha, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

"Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Ron Prosor has distributed a letter among U.N. ambassadors as a first step in a comprehensive campaign to highlight Israel's request, paving the way to bring it for a General Assembly vote."