For unpaid alimony, an Australian stranded in Israel until December 31 … 9999

An Australian has been stuck in Israel for thousands of years, unless he pays a heavy price for his freedom. The 44-year-old chemist was ordered by a court to pay 7.5 million shekels (over 2 million euros) to his ex-wife, reports news.com.au. The sum corresponds to more than 1,400 euros per month and for each of her two children until they reach the age of 18.

“I have been stranded in Israel since 2013,” said the Australian national. In 2011, his ex-wife, an Israeli, who was then living with him in Australia, returned to live in her country of origin with their children, aged three months and five years at the time. The father joined them a year later. But the following year, his wife files for divorce. The Australian is then condemned to pay the heavy alimony. If he doesn’t, he will have to stay in Israel until December 31 … 9999.

Many other cases

In his interview with the Australian media, the 44-year-old father considered himself “held hostage” for a “future debt”. A decision he called of “violation of his fundamental rights”. He assured that other foreigners are also “persecuted by the Israeli justice system because they were married to nationals of the country”.

This exit suspension is akin to prison bars for the 40-year-old, who would not have the means to pay his debt to the Jewish state court. According to an Israeli law firm, this drastic measure is aimed at preventing men from escaping their legal obligations.