Woman Accused of Arranging Daughter's Minor Marriage Claims Retaliation

Sarah Mimouni, a survivor of an extremist Haredi sect in Yavniel, who claims she was forced into marriage at 15, was questioned on Thursday on suspicion of arranging her own daughter's marriage when the girl was 16. Mimouni is one of 16 individuals detained during a police operation in Yavniel, a settlement in the Lower Galilee. She asserts her innocence, calling the accusations "baseless lies" and claiming that those testifying against her are sect leaders who marry off their own underage children. Mimouni believes the police are attempting to silence her because she is exposing their failures and aims to break her spirit. She stated she told investigators that if they fail to do their job, she will continue to speak to the media until the "horrific phenomenon" stops.

Mimouni had previously shared her story at a Knesset committee hearing on women's rights, detailing her own forced marriage at 15 and becoming a mother at 16. In July, she criticized the police for allegedly fearing to confront the sect's leadership, accusing them of arresting innocent people for publicity. The Northern District Police confirmed they are engaged in an ongoing struggle against underage marriages within a small, closed community in Yavniel. Following the detention of over 20 suspects weeks prior, dozens of officers conducted another raid on Thursday, detaining 16 individuals, both minors and adults.

Due to the community's secrecy, police are uncertain if Mimouni's daughter's wedding actually took place or was called off. However, the police maintain they possess evidence suggesting the wedding was organized.