Israel Faces 321 Reports of Underage Marriages Amid Calls for Stronger Child Protection
A recent testimony before the Knesset Committee for the Advancement of the Status of Women and Gender Equality highlighted the disturbing issue of underage marriage in Israel. A woman recounted being married at 15 against her will and becoming a mother at 16, underscoring the violation of the legal marriage age of 18. This case is part of a broader phenomenon, with 321 reports of suspected underage marriages without permits filed with Israeli police between 2023 and 2025, yet only four indictments have been issued during this period.
The data raises concerns about the effectiveness of current enforcement and coordination mechanisms designed to protect minors. The case from Yavne'el is seen not as an isolated criminal incident but as a symptom of systemic failures across multiple agencies, including health, education, welfare, law enforcement, population registry, and social security. Experts argue for a centralized coordinating body to integrate information, identify recurring patterns, and intervene early to prevent further loss of childhood.
Calls have been made for comprehensive reforms that go beyond criminal prosecution to include administrative, ethical, and public measures. Proposed changes include enhancing information sharing under the law, clarifying responsibilities, and measuring success by the number of children protected rather than just prosecutions. Legislative updates, stronger reporting obligations, and improved inter-agency cooperation are also under consideration to transform legal protections into effective prevention tools.
The article stresses that while the state cannot guarantee no child will be harmed, it must ensure no child falls through the cracks of its systems. This approach reflects a broader definition of governance that prioritizes prevention and integrated responses. The author, Yair Avidan, chairman of the "Home for Every Child" association, emphasizes that society's maturity is judged by how it protects children before harm occurs, urging Israel to uphold its moral and legal duty to let children grow up before taking on adult responsibilities.
