Two men from southern Israel have been arrested on suspicion of polygamy in separate investigations by Israel Police’s Polygamy Unit.
One is an 83-year-old Rahat resident accused of marrying several women over the years, including five Palestinian Authority residents, while the other is a 40-year-old Negev resident who was arrested at Ben-Gurion Airport after returning from his honeymoon with his third wife.
The 83-year-old suspect allegedly married the women simultaneously under Sharia law and is accused of harboring and transporting five Palestinian Authority residents who were staying in Israel without legal permits.
Police said he is the father of 45 children and married another Israeli woman as recently as April. He was questioned on suspicion of polygamy and related offenses before being released under restrictive conditions, including house arrest.
Last week, as part of the investigation, police located one of the suspect’s wives, a resident of the Dahariya area. She was taken in for questioning and was later removed from Israel.
Separate investigation leads to arrest of man after return from third honeymoon
In a separate investigation by the Southern District Police’s Polygamy Unit, authorities received a report in July about a 40-year-old resident of Bir Hadaj who was allegedly married to two women and intended to marry a third. According to police, the third wedding took place on July 30, and shortly afterward the suspect traveled with his new wife to Barcelona for their honeymoon.
On August 15, immediately after returning to Israel, the suspect was arrested in a joint operation by Southern District Central Unit detectives and Ben-Gurion Airport Police detectives. The third wife was questioned and provided testimony, while statements were also collected from the suspect’s two other wives, who live in his home.
The suspect was questioned on suspicion of polygamy and was released under restrictive conditions following the interrogation. During the investigation, police collected additional evidence allegedly linking him to the offense.
The investigations are ongoing, and the investigative unit intends to carry out additional investigative steps. Once all investigative actions are completed, the case files will be transferred to the Southern District Prosecutor’s Office for review and consideration of further legal proceedings.
Israel Police calls polygamy 'serious' phenomenon
The Israel Police Spokesperson’s Unit said:
“Within the framework of the unit’s activities, complex investigations were carried out, suspects were arrested, and indictments were filed for offenses of multiple marriages and related offenses, as part of the fight against the phenomenon and with the aim of significantly reducing it.
“This is an invalid and serious phenomenon, with broad consequences, including harm to women, minors, and the family and community fabric. The Israel Police operates against offenses related to multiple marriages, illegal residency, and any additional related offense, in accordance with its authorities and the law.
“Whenever information or a complaint is received by the police that raises suspicion of violence, exploitation, or harm to women or minors, actions are taken according to the circumstances, while providing assistance to victims of crime and in cooperation with welfare authorities and relevant bodies.”