Dozens of police officers raided targets in the Yavniel settlement in the Lower Galilee this morning (Thursday) - and detained for questioning 16 people involved in underage marriages from recent months.
According to a report by Orly Alkalai in Kan News, one of the women being investigated is an activist against child marriage - who has already left the closed community of Breslav in the settlement.
The woman was taken in for questioning after during the raid, the police found a contract she had signed for the marriage of her 17-year-old daughter. The wedding was supposed to take place about a month ago - while the mother had meanwhile become a known activist against the community.
Investigators also came to question a 15.5-year-old girl at her home, because she had a two-month-old baby - and she could not leave him alone or bring him to the police interrogation room.
This morning's raid took place after several weeks ago, over 20 suspects suspected of involvement in underage marriages in the colony were detained for questioning.
Police raided several locations again today and detained for questioning 16 minors and adults from their immediate surroundings, suspected of having recently married or of having begun making actual preparations for an illegal wedding ceremony.
The police emphasized that these weddings are usually held in the morning, with a limited number of people present, without sharing the location of the ceremony until it begins, while preventing photography of the wedding ceremony and prohibiting the introduction of cell phones - for fear of documenting the marriage ceremony.
After the wedding, in many cases, an additional event is held for the general public under the guise of an 'engagement party', to which all relatives of the bride and groom are invited.
The police statement said: "The Israel Police will continue to act resolutely against any offense that harms minors and the helpless, including offenses related to the marriage of minors in violation of the law.
""The investigation conducted in recent months in the Northern District is part of an ongoing struggle to protect the safety, security and rights of minors.
""The Israel Police will continue to investigate this issue thoroughly and professionally, in cooperation with all enforcement and welfare agencies, with the aim of reaching the truth, bringing those involved to justice, and preventing the continuation of the phenomenon.".
