Child Marriage Investigation: Israeli Police Raid Breslov Community

Israeli police conducted a major operation Tuesday morning at a Breslov Hasidic community center in Yavne'el, a town in the Lower Galilee, detaining 16 people as part of an expanding investigation into marriages involving minors.

The raid is an escalation in law enforcement efforts to address what authorities describe as a growing phenomenon of underage marriages within the local Breslov community, some involving children as young as 13 and 14 years old.

Officers from the Northern District detained both minors and adults suspected of either having recently married or actively preparing for illegal wedding ceremonies.

The operation follows a similar raid several weeks ago that resulted in the detention of more than 20 suspects connected to child marriages in the same community.

According to investigators, these wedding ceremonies typically take place during morning hours with minimal attendance, and the location is kept secret until the ceremony begins. Participants are prohibited from bringing phones or cameras to prevent documentation of the illegal proceedings.

Following the religious ceremony, families often hold a separate public event disguised as an "engagement party" for extended family and community members.

In a statement, Israel Police said: "Israel Police will continue to act decisively against any crime that harms minors and the vulnerable, including offenses related to child marriages in violation of the law. The investigation conducted in recent months in the Northern District is part of an ongoing effort to protect the welfare, security and rights of minors. Israel Police will continue to investigate this matter thoroughly and professionally, in cooperation with all enforcement and welfare authorities, with the aim of uncovering the truth, bringing those involved to justice and preventing the continuation of this phenomenon."