Can a child's own wishes affect the outcome of a custody modification in Israel?

Yes, from around age 10 to 12 Israeli courts begin assigning meaningful weight to a child's expressed preference, though it is never the sole deciding factor. The Family Court judge or the welfare officer may speak with the child privately in a manner calibrated to the child's age and emotional situation. The older and more consistent the child's expressed preference, the more influence it carries — but the court will also assess whether that preference is freely formed or influenced by one parent.