Q: I got married and my wife gave birth to a daughter, now 10. We have divorced recently, and my ex-wife filed a lawsuit with the court, requesting permission for our daughter to temporarily relocate with her to Germany, her homeland, for a period of two years, for the purpose of her doctoral studies. I am afraid that she will not return from there with the child, using the argument that the State of Israel is not safe for her. What can I do?
By: דיאנה שאלתיאל•Published on: 05 November, 2025A: You must oppose her relocation plea and prove your claim (fear of abduction) at the Family Court. The court will examine the issue according to the principle of the best interests of the child and will usually rely on the expert opinion of a social worker and/or a psychologist, for the purpose of making a decision. For instance, the Family Court in Tel Aviv-Yafo, in a judgement dated July 21, 2024, (Family File # 24497-01-24), relying on the social worker’s report, among other documentation, allowed the relocation of a 4-year-old girl with her mother, for two years, despite the father’s opposition and his fear that the girl would not return to Israel.