Can I access the Israeli bank account immediately after the death, before obtaining a court order?

No. Israeli banks freeze accounts upon notification of a customer's death and will not permit withdrawals — even by a spouse or joint account holder in some cases — without a court order. The only exception is a joint account where the co-holder has their own independent right to the funds by virtue of the account structure, not inheritance. Attempting to withdraw funds from a deceased person's sole account without a court order is considered unauthorized, and banks actively monitor for such activity.