Southern Couple Detained En Route to Wedding, Criticize National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir

A couple from southern Israel, on their way to their wedding last Friday, were detained by police after their wedding convoy was accused of disrupting traffic. The groom and his father claimed the delay caused them to arrive late, with some guests having already left. They accused National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of manipulating the situation for publicity. Ben-Gvir responded by stating that the crackdown aims to end reckless wedding convoys and dangerous celebratory gunfire in the Negev, emphasizing his commitment to public safety.

The groom recounted being stopped by police after leaving a bridal salon in Rahat, with officers claiming he was blocking traffic despite traveling in a single vehicle. He refused to enter the police van, opting to follow it instead, but was held for two hours at the station. The delay caused them to miss part of their own wedding celebration. The groom’s father questioned why the police did not simply issue a ticket if traffic was obstructed and criticized the minister for using the incident to assert control at their expense.

Officials from the National Security Ministry stated that the couple signed an agreement at the police station to ensure the wedding proceeded quietly, which it did. Alongside the detention and questioning, traffic fines were issued to those involved for violations committed during the convoy. The incident highlights ongoing tensions over enforcement of public order during wedding celebrations in southern Israel.