I am Jewish and my husband is Christian, an Anglican, from England. We met on kibbutz here and married in a civil ceremony abroad. Soon after our return to Israel my husband admitted having sex with volunteers, said marriage was not for him, packed up and went down south. I know he is still in Israel as I checked with the Ministry of the Interior. Can I got a divorce, and how ?
By: דיאנה שאלתיאל•Published on: 23 June, 2022Firstly, as your marriage is a mixed one, you being Jewish and your husband not, you will have to go through the process of “dissolution of marriage” and not divorce .
The whole process is governed by the newly updated Jurisdiction In the Matters of Dissolution of Marriage (Special Cases & International Jurisdiction ) Law of 1969. You can file for dissolution of your marriage at the family court, but a decision confirming whether it or a religious court has jurisdiction over the case will only be made after the Vice-President there has consulted with the relevant religious courts here in Israel . In your case, this would only be the rabbinical court as the Anglican faith is not recognised here. Most likely, the family court will have jurisdiction.
You should apply for an order stopping your husband leaving the country anyhow. If your husband is traced meanwhile, it would be preferable to seek his co-operation in ending your marriage; mutual consent is a ground under the act and a written agreement is the best bet. If not you will have to prove grounds for divorce under the laws of the country where you married.