Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem

GETT

GETT THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM

I'm sad to say, Your Honor, that the husband, Elisha Amsalem,

has refused to come to court and to cooperate.

We don't even know his position

on my client's request for a divorce.

She filed three years ago and hasn't lived at home since.

For three years her husband has kept silent

except once, when he visited her after her brother's death.

What did he say then?

He asked her to come home.

- What was her response? - She asked him for a divorce.

Mr. Amsalem, don't you have an advocate?

No, Your Honor.

Would you like to grant her a divorce?

No, Your Honor.

This woman has not lived at home for three years.

Yes, Your Honor.

- Are you willing to take her back? - Yes, Your Honor.

Do you suspect her of adultery?

- I can't hear you, sir. - No, Honorable Rabbi.

- Your Honor... - Silence, please.

Are you sure about this?

Yes, Your Honor.

Why don't you want to grant this woman a divorce?

Viviane, come home, I beg you. There's nothing out there...

We speak Hebrew in this court.

We must understand!

Come, let's forgive and forget.

The kids want you back, too. Come home, Viviane.

We'll start all over.

She seems faithful. She doesn't want him anymore.

Translate, don't interpret.

The children want her back.

Have all the kids left home?

All but the youngest, who lives with his father.

And his mother abandoned him.

She sees him every day and cooks him meals,

which her sister-in-law brings when the father's not home.

And who takes care of this woman?

My client lives with her brother and his wife as well as her sister...

They can all attest to her decency.

How has your client supported herself since she left home?

My client has had a profession, for over 20 years now.

She's a hairdresser.

Has her husband supported her since she left home?

No, my client has supported herself, and her children, by herself.

- So she's demanding alimony? - No.

- So what does she want? - A divorce.

Your Honors, she wants a divorce.

Mr. Amsalem, why are you refusing?

Your Honor, as you can see...

Quiet, please! The question wasn't addressed to you.

Mr. Amsalem, answer the question.

Never, Viviane.

Never, Viviane.

Did the husband beat his wife or treat her violently?

It depends on what you mean by violence.

If you mean physical violence, he didn't harm her.

He didn't harm her. Did he provide for all her needs?

- That's debatable. - Don't be smart.

Did he provide her with money, food?

My client lives separately.

Does the husband fool around? Commit adultery?

No, Your Honor.

Does the husband have a deformation that repels the woman?

No, Your Honor.

Did the husband threaten his wife in any way?

Is the woman's life in danger somehow?

As I said, he hasn't spoken with her for three years now.

For better or worse.

They haven't spoken for three years?

She won't speak to me, I want to speak with her.

- So what are the grounds for divorce? - She doesn't love him anymore.

- No grounds for divorce. - They don't live together.

Rabbi De Medina ruled: That 18 months apart

are grounds for divorce.

- There are grounds. - No grounds.

That's an opinion, not a ruling.

Rule for "Reconciliation."

Sir,

are you willing to take this woman back

and give her another chance

to be a faithful wife and mother?

Yes, Your Honor.

I'm not going back.

I'm not going back.

We'll see about that.

He said, "We'll see about that."

Viviane Amsalem,

for three years you've lived away from home,

and he wants you back.

I suggest you go home.

Please, try your very best to save your marriage and family,

and with God's help, we won't see you here again.

This hearing is adjourned.

Haim, see the couple out, please.

Advocate Carmel Ben Tovim, next time wear a skullcap.

What's the next case?

SIX MONTHS LATER

Come here, please.

Come in.

Come in.

Bring the husband in, too.

- He's late. - We've no time to waste.

Let the next couple in and you two wait outside.

We fear that my client's husband won't come.

Then why did you come?

Two days ago, the husband said he'd come.

But later that day, he decided not to.

The next day, he said he'd come and then cancelled again.

Impossible to predict.

Why did you come if the husband said he wouldn't?

My client thought he was just threatening.

We'll wait a few minutes, perhaps he'll come.

Wait outside, please.

Thank you.

Did your client return to her husband?

- Yes. For three months. - And?

She had to leave home.

Had to? The Head of the Court recommended six months.

He wouldn't speak, so she decided to leave.

What do you mean, "decided"?

It doesn't matter, Your Honor, she left.

That's why the husband decided not to come.

Do you support the husband's actions?

We'll wait a few minutes.

Your Honor, it's a trick.

There'll be no hearing without him. That's enough for today.

Haim, bring in the next couple.

TWO MONTHS LATER

He won't come.

Let's wait.

We've been waiting for an hour and a half.

What can we do?

Carmel, your shirt...

Tuck it in.

Okay?

Adva and Shmulik Sade, please come in.

- Haim. If I may... - No, not yet.

Put on a skullcap, please.

Your Honor, we're waiting for the husband and...

Let's go.

Let's wait a little longer.

What time is it?

Almost 10:00.

Normally, when a person is summoned to court, he appears.

THREE MONTHS LATER

In respect of my client's rights, impose sanctions on the husband!

Since the law favors a husband's will over a wife's wishes,

at least he could show up!

What are you angry about? We summoned him.

What else can we do?

Everything in your power.

Who is here on his behalf?

Speak up!

Hello, Viviane.

I'm the husband's messenger.

Why didn't he bother to come himself?

I don't know, Your Honor.

What do you have to say?

Your Honor, the husband asked me

to tell you that he will not appear in court

until his wife comes home.

I'm not going back.

I'll have you removed.

In my court you speak when spoken to.

I'm not going back again.

Look, good woman,

return for the period I recommend.

Your Honor, what is this disgrace?

Calm down, you.

You know we can't force the husband at this stage.

You're bending my client's will.

Does it bother you that she returns of her own free will?

Her own free will? Your Honor!

Madam, help me and I'll help you.

Return to your home,

and if you cannot reach an accord,

I give you my word, before these witnesses,

I will force him to appear in court, like it or not.

The husband wants reconciliation, and so do we. She must go home.

This hearing is adjourned.

Carmel Ben Tovim, you listen...

FIVE MONTHS LATER

You keep shouting.

Don't raise your voice...

It's a religious court. Don't show contempt!

- I'm not. - You're shouting and...

You're in contempt and you're shouting.

You won't even give me 15 minutes.

Gentlemen, we can't communicate with screams and shouts.

Pardon me, Your Honor.

My client fulfilled her husband's conditions

and he doesn't do his part!

But they live together now?

- Yes, as requested. - Then what's wrong?

Everything is wrong, that's why we're here.

Why are you fanning the flames again?

The husband's behavior is infuriating. How long must my client wait?