Four wives and 45 children: Council head investigated on suspicion of polygamy
Police suspect that a local council head is married to four women, including a foreign national and an Israeli resident. The suspect has 45 children, ranging from adults to minors. The investigation, which began several months ago, is currently ongoing.
A well-known council head has been under investigation in recent months on suspicion of polygamy, after police suspected he was married to four women simultaneously. The investigation into his case was opened several months ago and is still ongoing.
According to the allegations, the head of the authority married four women over the years. The third wife is a foreign national, while the fourth is an Israeli resident. As part of the investigation, police are examining the circumstances of these marriages and potential offenses related to polygamy.
According to information obtained by the media, the council head has 45 children. Some of his children are already adults and married, while others are still minors, including young children from his most recent wife. Police sources stated that the investigation is continuing and that the examination of the suspicions against him has not yet been completed.
The investigation is taking place against the backdrop of an increase in similar cases. Police sources point to a rise in the number of investigation files related to polygamy in recent times, as part of efforts to strengthen enforcement on the subject.
In the background of this case, it was recently reported that police are investigating additional instances of polygamy in the Negev. Among others, an 83-year-old resident of Rahat is being investigated on suspicion of having married nine women, including five residents of the Palestinian Authority, and having 45 children. In another case, a resident of Bir Hadaj is being investigated on suspicion of marrying a third wife.
In the past, the phenomenon of polygamy has reached the leadership of local authorities. In 2017, the police opened an inquiry into the then-head of the Lakiya council, Salem Abu Aish, following suspicions that he was married to more than one woman. The inquiry was opened following a directive from the Ministry of Justice as part of efforts to combat polygamy.
