Israeli Lawmaker Proposes Bill to End Benefits for Polygamous Families

MK Michal Waldiger has submitted a bill aimed at revoking state allowances and benefits granted to polygamous families in Israel. This legislative move follows a special session of the Labor and Welfare Committee, where alarming data was presented showing over 7,000 suspected cases of polygamy, many involving multiple state benefits for more than one spouse. According to the figures shared with the committee, approximately 16,000 women are in polygamous marriages, with around 83,000 children involved. More than 2,400 of these women are not Israeli citizens, having arrived through family reunification or as undocumented residents.

The data also revealed that within the Bedouin sector alone, 625 women receive survivor benefits for the same deceased husband, with additional allowances paid for second and third spouses. The committee sharply criticized the low number of indictments filed over the years despite polygamy being a criminal offense in Israel, highlighting the contradiction of the state outlawing the practice while continuing to provide economic incentives linked to it.

Under the proposed law, individuals will be ineligible for benefits or additional allowances based on spousal status if they have more than one spouse at the time of death. The bill also seeks to close loopholes that currently allow polygamous families to receive birth grants and other benefits. Waldiger emphasized that the bill does not harm children or basic rights but aims to remove the financial incentives that effectively fund an illegal practice. She stated, "It is absurd that Israel criminalizes polygamy yet continues to provide benefits derived from the same forbidden family structure. We cannot fight the phenomenon with one hand while encouraging it with the other." The bill represents a step toward aligning social welfare policy with criminal law enforcement against polygamy in Israel.