Police Raid Negev Town Over Polygamy Allegations, Detain 10

Police conducted raids on five compounds in the Bedouin town of Bir Hadaj in the Negev on Tuesday as part of a crackdown on alleged polygamy and related offenses. Approximately 10 individuals were detained for questioning.

The operation was led by the anti-polygamy division and the Southern District's central unit, with support from the National Guard, Border Police, and canine units. The raids targeted five individuals suspected of managing multiple marital relationships.

During the searches, authorities seized documents, marriage certificates, and wedding photos, along with mobile phones for forensic examination. Investigators also reportedly found a substance suspected to be hashish in one of the compounds. Police stated that the five main suspects are believed to be married to or involved with a total of 15 women and have fathered 67 children.

Among those investigated are a 25-year-old man suspected of having three wives and eight children, and a 32-year-old man suspected of having three wives and nine children. Other suspects are also being investigated for multiple marriages and large families.

The detained individuals, including men and women, are providing statements at the Southern District's central unit offices. Police indicated that investigations are ongoing and further investigative actions are planned. Following the completion of the investigation, case files will be transferred to the Southern District Prosecutor's Office for legal review.

The anti-polygamy division was established in late 2024 by the Ministry of National Security in cooperation with the police to centralize law enforcement efforts against polygamy in the southern region. Police consider polygamy a "dangerous and unacceptable phenomenon" with negative repercussions for women, children, and the social fabric, and stated they will continue such operations.