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International Child Abduction & Relocation

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does it matter how old the child is?

By: דיאנה שאלתיאלPublished on: 28 June, 2022

Yes. As the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction only applies to children up to the age of 16, abduction involving minors aged 16-18 cannot be dealt with by these proceedings, even if both countries are bound by it. Where such alleged abductions are to Israel, and involve 16-18 year olds, it is necessary to apply in Israel for an order of Habeas Corpus to the Family Court or the High Court of Justice, irrespective of where they were living before. The Israeli Family Court has primary jurisdiction to deal with a custody application of a child below the age of 18.


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