Mother to Pay 180,000 Shekels to Ex-Husband for Parental Alienation

The Family Court in Safed ruled this month that a mother of two must pay her ex-partner 180,000 shekels in compensation for damages caused by parental alienation. The couple met in 2006 and have two children, who are now teenagers. Following their divorce in 2014, the parents have been embroiled in ongoing legal proceedings.

At the core of the conflict was the issue of parenting arrangements and visitation, which was heard in the Rabbinical Court. The proceedings involved police and intensive intervention from welfare services, stemming from the mother's opposition to unsupervised meetings between the minors and their father, citing concerns over responsibility and safety.

The Rabbinical Court determined that parental alienation had occurred, concluding that the mother had done everything in her power to prevent a healthy relationship between the children and their father, actively inciting them against him. Since 2019, contact between the minors and their father has been limited to brief WhatsApp messages and occasional meetings.

Judge Avivit Nachmias stated in her ruling:

"The mother consistently acted to incite and alienate the children from their father, consciously ignoring the significant damage caused to both the minors and their relationship with him. She actively thwarted a beneficial connection and severely damaged the quality of that relationship."

In determining the compensation, the judge noted that while there is no total disconnection, the relationship is forced. Parallel to this, the father's claim for a reduction and refund of alimony was heard. The request for a refund was denied, as the funds had already been consumed for the children's needs, and the request for a reduction was rejected due to a delay in filing.

Attorney Maya Ovgani, representing the father, stated: "I am pleased that the court is sending a deterrent message to reduce the phenomenon of parental alienation: a child is not a tool to be used by either parent, and should not be turned into a weapon in a struggle between spouses after a divorce."

Attorney Avraham Schlanger, representing the mother, responded: "The honorable court erred in its judgment by attributing parental alienation to my client, a conclusion that does not align with the factual record established over the years or with the rulings of the Great Rabbinical Court. It was the father who was absent from his children's lives for long periods and refused to commit to fixed visitation times."

Significance of the ruling: parental alienation may lead to financial compensation for the affected parent. Case numbers: 9398-05-24, 9491-05-24.