“Then why couldnt the judge place custody with the Dad and allow the Mom visitation?”
The father is not living in the country so he isn’t available to take custody.
If Dad is only temporarily living in Israel.. I guess it could wait. If he is living there full time.. well, hate to say it.. but this poses a huge problem for the kids. Please don’t see this example as being snarky, just honest: do you ever see relatives a lot? You know the type.. they come for the holidays, birthdays, call your parents to chat? Now, do you have relatives that you only see at weddings and funerals? Which set of relatives do you feel like you know better.. that are more in your life? If Dad is living there full time, he has a decision to make IMHO. Try to get a job in the US near or somewhat near the kids or become the relative that the kids see now and again.