Survivor Condemns Police Inaction on Underage Marriages in Yavne'el at Knesset Hearing

During a tense Knesset committee session on Wednesday addressing the ongoing issue of underage marriages in Yavne'el, disturbing testimonies highlighted the persistence of this practice despite enforcement efforts. Sarah Maimoni, who was married off at 15 and became a mother at 16 against her will, shared her painful experience to emphasize the severe impact on young girls forced into adult roles prematurely. She criticized the police for staging a high-profile raid last week that resulted in arrests but failed to target the true perpetrators, describing the operation as a "dangerous bluff" that only served to create media headlines without real enforcement.

Maimoni accused the police of fearing to confront the core leadership of the cult responsible for these marriages, stating that the real offenders remain free to continue their activities. She revealed that shortly after the police left, another underage wedding took place openly in Yavne'el. The committee heard from Police Investigation Division head Deputy Commissioner Shlomit Landes, who confirmed an ongoing investigation and assured that enforcement efforts would continue beyond one-time operations.

Norit Eitan Gutman from Clalit Health Services described the professional challenges in addressing the issue, noting that girls often come accompanied by their mothers, limiting their ability to speak freely. Knesset Member Merav Cohen, chair of the committee, warned that this would not be the last discussion on the topic and pledged continued oversight even after the current Knesset term ends. She called for immediate inter-ministerial cooperation among education, welfare, health, and law enforcement agencies to break the silence and protect vulnerable girls.

The committee urged government authorities to fully utilize their powers to eradicate underage marriages in Yavne'el, emphasizing the need for systemic action against the cult that has infiltrated official institutions with strong political backing.