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Can children not be returned from Israel under the Hague Convention because they have been in the country too long?

Yes, if the children have been living in Israel for more than a year, and were abducted from another 'Hague' country, then , according to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of Child Abduction, the court has discretion not to order a return them, if it has been proved that they are now 'settled' into their new environment.

 

In practice, however, children who have been abducted to Israel, from another country which is bound by the Hague Convention, may not be subject to a return order, on the grounds that Israel, and not the country where they were allegedly abducted from, is the country of habitual residence . A child can establish habitual residence in Israel relatively quickly, and a Hague return order can be refused , because Israel has now become his/her country of habitual residence. Accordingly, it is important to act very quickly to ensure a quick and prompt return of abducted minors.

Also, the  longer a 'left-behind' parent  waits without acting the greater the chances of acquiesence being successfully claimed by the abducting parent.