The Knesset has passed a new law which closes Israel’s doors to husbands who make their wives an agunah, refusing to give her a bill of divorce. The Conference of European Rabbis was behind the initiative, which has now been passed into law, barring recalcitrant husbands from seeking refuge in Israel.

If a beis din in The Diaspora has labels a man a recalcitrant husband, not only will be barred from entering the country, but he will be detained by authorities at the airport as a deterrence towards compelling him to release his wife from an unwanted marriage.

Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis responded to the passing of the law, stating, “This is a huge step and we are incredibly proud that this idea has now been enshrined in law.”

The rav praised the law, expressing his hope that it will help remove the shackles from many women, calling the refusal to give a ‘get’ a form of domestic violence.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)