The Rabbinical Courts’ administration on Tuesday published the 2016 divorce figures in Israel, including the number of Agunot (women refused a religious divorce), indicating that Jerusalem, with the largest population (866,000), once again had the largest number of divorces with 725 couples. In Modi’in Illit, the number of divorces rose by 45%. Tel Aviv-Yafo came second with 701 divorced couples (but a much smaller population: 433,000), followed by Rishon Lezion with 441. Behind them came Haifa, Petah Tikva, Be’er Sheva, Netanya, Ashdod, Holon and Ramat Gan.
The report shows a significant increase in the efficiency of the Rabbinical Courts: in 2016 88,997 cases were opened and 90,938 closed, a processing rate of 102%.
There was an increase of 1.8% in divorces in Israel in 2016 compared with the previous year: 10,841 couples were divorced in Israel in 2016, compared with 10,653 in 2015.
Big Haredi cities showed similar trends to their secular neighbors: in Bnei Brak, 165 couples divorced, compared with 149 in 2015, an increase of 11%; In Modi’in Illit, 42 couples were divorced, compared with 29 in 2015, an increase of 45%.
However, in Elad 49 couples were divorced, compared with 56 in 2015, a decrease of 13%; and in Beitar Illit, 38 couples were divorced, compared with 41 in 2015, a decrease of 7%.
As to the perpetual tragedy of Israel’s Agunot, the report says that in 2016 the rabbinical courts’ special Agunot unit was able to obtain a religious divorce for 211 women whose husbands disappeared in Israel and abroad, compared with 180 in 2015, a 17% increase.
205 court resolutions were issued over divorce refusal in 2016, including 165 against 36 men and 40 against 11 women. The sanctions include an order to stay in Israel, closing of bank accounts, revoking driver’s licenses, blocking appointments to public office, and revoking the privileges of criminal prisoners who also refuse to award a religious divorce to their wives (including the privilege of staying in the religious section in prison).
The High Court of Justice in 2016 decided on 41 petitions that had been filed against the rabbinical courts – denying every single petition.