A 32-year-old Rahat resident was arrested on Friday for allegedly beating his 27-year-old pregnant wife, Ynet reported. The woman suffered such severe blows to the head that she is reportedly brain dead, according to Haaretz. She is currently hospitalized in Soroka Medical Center.
The couple’s three children, aged five, eight and nine respectively, were taken in by relatives.
Head of the Rahat Police Station, Vice-Commissioner Eli Shmul, personally commanded the force at the scene of the alleged crime.
The man has denied the allegations, and his arrest had been extended until Sunday.
The woman’s father described a difficult 13-year marriage between the man and his daughter, Ynet reported.
He said she often said her husband treats her badly and that the two families held several interventions in an attempt to save the marriage.
WIZO Chairperson Anita Friedman said on Friday that violence against women "became terrorism a long time ago and must be fought with all means."
"Violence and the murder of women became commonplace and the world looks the other way," she said. “None of us can be indifferent to this event, least of all the government."
She called on the current government to take action and fund the national program to prevent violence against women.