Both partners came from Jerusalem's large religious Jewish community

A 14-year-old Israeli girl has got a divorce from her 17-year-old husband, making her what media are describing as the country's youngest divorcee.

The divorce came after a rabbinical court ruled that their wedding met the major requirements of Jewish law.

The two sweethearts had exchanged vows in front of friends, exchanged a ring, and the union had been consummated.

When her parents found out what had occurred, they insisted on a religious divorce, which she initially refused.

Both partners come from traditionally religious Jewish families.

Legal consequence

The young couple are said to have recited their marriage vows in front of a group of friends and the husband gave his wife a ring.

The girl is said to have initially refused her parents' demand for the divorce, saying she wanted to live with the boy.

She said she wanted to marry him officially when she was old enough.

The Israeli press says she only changed her mind when the boy's parents offered her money.

The religious court in Jerusalem then held the divorce proceeding.

The divorce will go on the girl's legal file, meaning that when she is 16, her identity card will say she is divorced.

One consequence of this is that - if she follows Jewish religious law - she will not be able to marry anyone from the traditional Jewish priestly caste.





