Jerusalem Court Cancels 21.5 Million Shekel Debt for 73-Year-Old Woman with Cancer
The Enforcement and Collection Authority in Jerusalem recently ordered the closure of a 21.5 million shekel debt accumulated by a 73-year-old woman battling an oncological illness. Registrar Shray Gabay Nuriel ruled that the "human public interest" requires allowing her to focus on treating her disease in her final years rather than futile debt collection proceedings. The debt originated from a consolidation case dating back to 1999, which included eight separate files, the oldest from 1992. Initially, the debt was about one million shekels but ballooned over time due to linkage and interest, with one creditor’s claim growing from approximately 124,000 shekels to about 14.5 million shekels.
The woman, known to welfare services, lives in financial hardship and relies on social benefits and charities for medical treatment and food. Despite her dire medical and economic condition and past domestic abuse from her late husband, who was reportedly responsible for the massive debts, she consistently paid 100 shekels monthly toward the consolidated debt. The court noted that due to her enormous debts and enforcement restrictions, she was denied life-saving treatment in London. Registrar Nuriel described her situation as "a difficult picture of a woman taking life-extending medication and coping with a complex life reality over many years."
In May, a hearing was held to resolve the debts once and for all. A single creditor appeared and agreed to close their claim, stating, "The debtor is not to blame; it was him (her husband) who deceived me. I did not know he had passed away. He treated me poorly all the time; I have nothing against the debtor." Consequently, the registrar fully exempted the woman from her enormous debts, emphasizing a broad perspective that considers not only collection interests but also justice, proportionality, and human dignity.
The court rejected the possibility of seizing the woman’s apartment to repay debts, citing that it would cause disproportionate harm relative to any benefit. The registrar highlighted exceptional cases where continued debt collection no longer serves its purpose but burdens a person facing the end of life with severe illness, loneliness, and poverty. Therefore, the enforcement cases against the woman, mostly consisting of accrued interest, were closed. However, cases against her late husband remain active but will be handled against his estate, not his widow.
