Family law6 min read8/8/2026

Threats at Home: How to Obtain an Urgent Protection Order in Israel

If a family member threatens you, the court can urgently prohibit them from approaching the home, contacting you, or carrying a weapon, even before hearing the other party. We explain where to apply, which documents to bring, and why a driver’s license is not sufficient to submit the application.

Numbers and facts

•NIS 0 — application filing fee
•Until 17:00 — contact the Information Center after the court registry closes
•After 17:00 — contact the courts’ on-call center
•Up to 7 days — hearing with both parties after the urgent decision
•Approximately 3 months — usual initial validity period

Which Protection Order Is Right for You?

A protection order under the Prevention of Family Violence Law, 1991, is intended for cases in which the source of the threat is a current or former family member. Grounds may include recent violence, a sexual offense, unlawful deprivation of liberty, or a real physical danger, as well as ongoing psychological violence that disrupts normal life. If the source of the threat is a neighbor, acquaintance, or another person outside the family, an application is generally filed under the Prevention of Threatening Harassment Law, 2001. It is not advisable to delay applying, because the court considers how recently the incident occurred and how specifically the danger is described.

Where Should You Apply Urgently?

An application for a protection order may be submitted in person to any Magistrate’s Court or Family Court in the country, regardless of place of residence. If protection is required from a minor, you must apply only to a Family Court. When the court registry is no longer receiving members of the public, you should contact the Courts Administration Information and Service Center until 17:00, and the on-call center after 17:00. When there is immediate danger, judicial proceedings are not a substitute for urgently contacting the police.

What to Bring: Documents Matter More Than the General Statement “I Am Afraid”

You must bring a valid identity card or passport, because a driver’s license is not accepted for submitting the application. You must complete a form that includes a sworn affidavit and an undertaking, and it is also advisable to provide the identity card or passport number of the family member threatening you. Attach a copy of the complaint filed with the police, if one was filed, as well as medical documents, photographs, correspondence, and any other materials proving the threats. It is helpful to present events in order: what happened, when, where, who was present, and why the danger still exists now.

What Can the Judge Decide Without the Other Party?

The application is immediately referred to a judge, who may consider it with only the applicant present. At this stage, the court assesses the urgency, the nature of the recent conduct, the reality of the physical danger, and the existence of ongoing psychological violence. The order may prohibit entry into or approaching the residence, even if the residence is owned by the respondent; prohibit contact and stalking; restrict actions involving jointly owned property; and prohibit possessing or carrying a weapon. The court may also require a bond or financial undertaking to ensure compliance with the conditions.

When Is Technological Monitoring Used?

If the court is convinced that a danger exists and finds that an ordinary prohibition is insufficient, it may issue a protection order with technological monitoring. The system tracks the location of the protected person and the monitored person, and warns of a breach of the specified distance or entry into an area designated by the court. A special consent form must be attached to the request for this monitoring. This measure is not automatic, as the court assesses the need for monitoring separately.

Validity Period and Extension

According to the explanatory materials, a protection order is initially valid for approximately three months, while any subsequent period depends on the court’s decision and the circumstances of the case. After the urgent decision issued without the other party, a hearing is held with both parties present; the material provided indicates a deadline of up to seven days. An order that remains in force may be extended even in a closed case. However, if its validity has already expired, an extension request will not suffice; a new protection order must be requested.

FAQ

Can a protection order be obtained without filing a complaint with the police?

Yes. The official instructions require attaching a copy of the complaint only if one was filed. Nevertheless, a police complaint and other documents can establish the timing, content, and seriousness of the threats.

Can the court remove a threatening spouse from their own apartment?

The order may prohibit entry into the residence or presence within a specified distance from it, even if the apartment is owned or rented by that person. The court determines the restrictions and the specified distance.

Is a lawyer required to submit the application?

The official procedures provide for submitting the completed form and documents in person and do not make a lawyer’s involvement a condition for applying. Courts also have centers providing initial legal assistance to applicants who meet the criteria, as well as volunteer assistance with the technical completion of forms.

What should I do if the order is violated?

Violating a protection order is a criminal offense and may lead to charges and arrest. The violation should be documented in a safe and available manner, and the police should be contacted, without attempting to confront the other party or resolve the matter independently.

Can the order be extended after it expires?

No. After the validity period ends, a new application for a protection order must be submitted. An extension must be requested while the existing order is still in force.

What to do next

Prepare an identity card or passport, the completed form, and materials showing the sequence and urgency of the threats. Submit them in person to a Magistrate’s Court or Family Court, and outside reception hours contact the courts’ Information Center or the on-call center. When there is an immediate threat to safety, contact the police first and move to a safe place.