Wedding rings. Photo: Jeff Belmonte.

The number of Israeli couples divorcing dropped for the first time in 2017, according to new data published by the Chief Rabbinate on Thursday.

A total of 10,674 Israeli couples divorced in 2017, down slightly from 10,825 the previous year.

There was a 7% decrease in the divorce rate in Tel Aviv, while in Jerusalem there was a 9% rise. The Israeli capital was the city with the most divorces in the country last year — 788.

The city with the fastest growing divorce rate was ultra-Orthodox Beitar Illit, which saw a 61% jump.