What happens when children refuse to see their mother, but the court believes their father caused the estrangement? Should the mother still have to pay child support?

A recent ruling from an Israeli Family Court addressed this dilemma. The judge found that the father may have played a central role in the children’s rejection of their mother. Still, she ordered the mother to pay reduced child support—1,000 NIS per month.

The mother argued that the father had severely alienated her. She said he humiliated her in front of the children, influenced them to reject her, and even encouraged them to boycott her. According to her, this behavior damaged her mental and physical health. As a result, she lost her job and suffered emotional distress.

The judge didn’t formally declare that parental alienation had occurred. However, she clearly stated:

“At this point, the father has had a significant influence on the minors’ behavior… I believe their refusal to see their mother is largely influenced by him.”

Still, the court focused on the children’s well-being and ruled that financial responsibility remains. Since the children live full-time with their father, and he covers most of their expenses, the mother must contribute—though at a reduced rate. If her relationship with the children improves, the payment could increase by 500 NIS per month.

The court’s message is clear: financial responsibility doesn’t end when emotional ties break down. But deeper questions remain—how should the legal system treat estranged parents? And is it just for a parent who may have caused alienation to receive financial support?