Two men arrested in separate investigations as Israel Police fights to reduce polygamy

Israel Police's Polygamy Unit arrested two men in separate investigations targeting polygamy in the Negev region. An 83-year-old Rahat resident was arrested on suspicion of marrying multiple women, including five Palestinian Authority residents, and is the father of 45 children. A 40-year-old Bir Hadaj resident was arrested at Ben-Gurion Airport after returning from a honeymoon with his third wife. Both suspects were released under restrictive conditions.

Israel Police's Polygamy Unit arrested two men in separate investigations targeting polygamy in the Negev region. An 83-year-old Rahat resident was arrested on suspicion of marrying multiple women simultaneously under Sharia law, including five women who are residents of the Palestinian Authority and were staying in Israel without legal permits. The suspect is the father of 45 children and was released under house arrest. In a separate case, a 40-year-old Bir Hadaj resident was arrested at Ben-Gurion Airport after returning from a honeymoon in Barcelona with his third wife. Police received a report in July that the man was married to two women and intended to marry a third; the wedding took place on July 30. Both suspects were released under restrictive conditions. Police stated that polygamy is a serious phenomenon with broad consequences, including harm to women, minors, and the family fabric, and that they operate against related offenses in cooperation with welfare authorities.