Shocking Testimony Reveals Widespread Child Marriage and Abuse in Yavniel

A Knesset committee held an emergency hearing on child marriage in Yavniel, Israel, where harrowing testimonies exposed the severity of the issue. Committee chairwoman MK Merav Cohen revealed that "80% of the female students in Yavniel get married in ninth grade," adding that those who don't are considered "odd" or "not right." The situation has reportedly become an "organized industry," with some witnesses claiming children have been "beaten and raped there day after day for 40 years."

One mother shared her distress over her 17-year-old daughter's forced marriage, discovering her pregnancy via a health app and noting her daughter has been estranged since the wedding. Another father expressed outrage that rabbinical courts ignored repeated warnings that his 15.5-year-old daughter would be married within two to three years.

Sarah Bolotin, a former member of a cult in Yavniel, urged authorities to investigate the situation as organized sexual abuse rather than just violations of marriage age laws. Police stated they are working with the District Attorney's office to appoint a special prosecutor for the case.

The Ministry of Education confirmed it provided approximately 892,000 shekels to the Breslov Hasidim of Yavniel association for a recognized non-official educational institution, admitting they were unaware of the extent of the problem but pledged to investigate. The Ministry of Welfare acknowledged the issue but did not commit to removing children from the perceived dangerous environment.

The Corporations Authority has launched an oversight process for cult-related associations in cooperation with the police. The Tax Authority noted it can only revoke tax exemptions after criminal convictions or the cancellation of proper management approval. The Women's League for Combating Trafficking and Prostitution presented an opinion suggesting evidence of an organized human trafficking network for forced marriage and has asked the Attorney General to consider dissolving the involved associations.

MK Cohen concluded by demanding government ministries remove authority over social workers and inspectors from the local council, conduct surprise school inspections, publish inter-ministerial committee findings, and halt funding to cult-affiliated associations. She vowed the committee would reconvene until "real progress" is seen.