Israeli Council Head Investigated for Alleged Polygamy with Four Wives and 45 Children

An Israeli council head is under police investigation for allegedly maintaining four simultaneous marriages, a probe that has been ongoing for several months. Authorities suspect he married four women over the years, including one foreign resident and one Israeli resident. The investigation is examining the circumstances of these marriages and potential violations related to polygamy. According to reports, the council head has 45 children, some adults and married, while others remain minors, including young children from his latest wife.

Police sources indicate the investigation is still active and no conclusions have been reached. This case is part of a broader increase in police inquiries into polygamy, with dozens of new cases recently opened amid efforts to enforce laws against multiple concurrent marriages. Last week, Walla reported on other ongoing investigations in the Negev, including an 83-year-old Rahat resident suspected of marrying nine women, five from the Palestinian Authority, fathering 45 children. Another case involves a resident of Bir al-Saba suspected of marrying a third wife.

Polygamy has previously drawn police scrutiny among local leaders; in 2017, the police investigated Salem Abu Aish, then head of the Lakia council, on suspicion of multiple marriages following directives from the Ministry of Justice to intensify enforcement against polygamy.