Man in Southern Israel Charged for Forcing 15-Year-Old into Second Marriage and Abuse

In southern Israel, a 32-year-old man from the Tel Arad area has been indicted for marrying a 15-year-old girl as his second wife and subjecting her to severe abuse, including during her pregnancy. The indictment details multiple instances of violence, such as hitting, hair-pulling, and throwing her to the ground. On one occasion, he broke her phone when she tried to call the police. After their daughter was born, the man shattered a window, injuring the infant with glass shards. He later pushed and slapped the girl, prompting her to flee with the baby and contact authorities.

The charges against the man include polygamy, child marriage, multiple counts of aggravated assault, intentional property damage, and assault causing serious injury to a helpless minor. The girl's father is also charged with facilitating child marriage. Following the marriage, the couple lived in a family compound in Rahat near the man's first wife, and they had two children together. The man faces additional charges of unlawful lodging under aggravated circumstances.

This case highlights ongoing issues of forced child marriage and domestic violence within the Bedouin community in Israel, specifically in Rahat and Tel Arad. Authorities continue to investigate and prosecute such offenses to protect vulnerable minors and uphold the law.