The United Nations will start debating this month whether Yom Kippur should be an official UN holiday after ambassadors from 32 nations signed a letter in support of the cause.
Countries including America, Canada and Uruguay have formally asked the UN General Assembly committee that Yom Kippur stand alongside Christmas and the end of Ramadan on the UN calendar.
A decision from the 193 member states is now expected as early as December.
The international body currently acknowledges ten holidays, four of which are religious. However, none of them are Jewish: only Christmas, Good Friday, the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha - the celebration of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac - are recognised.
