Relatives kidnap girl 'forced to be religious'
Mother and three family members took 17-year-old girl by force from host apartment in Bnei Brak, claim daughter was abused, forced into religious lifestyle
Kidnapping or rescue operation? A 17-year-old girl, reported kidnapped on Monday night, was found on Tuesday with her kidnappers – her family, residents of Ofakim, who apparently took her from Bnei Brak by force after she refused to return home.
Police arrested family members, who claimed that their daughter was being brainwashed and pushed into a religious lifestyle by her haredi hosts. The family further claimed that the host parents mistreat their own children.
The Social Affairs Ministry confirmed that the Bnei Brak family in question is known to ministry representatives because a number of the couple's biological children left the home, complaining of abuse. But despite this, the girl requested to return to the Bnei Brak family.
Because the girl is a minor, she was transferred to the custody of the state pending a formal decision on the issue.
Debate on coming home
The girl had come to Bnei Brak during Operation Cast Lead to escape the increased rocket barrages from Gaza. At the end of the operation, she did not want to return home.
Her family members did not accept her decision and tried repeatedly to convince her to come home using several means, including involvement by representatives from the Social Affairs Ministry. She refused to comply with their wishes.
Finally, the family took matters into their own hands. Area police had received an alert at 11 p.m. Monday night that four people (the family) had broken into an apartment in Bnei Brak using an ax, damaged the apartment, attacked the owners and took the girl following a struggle. They were later found with the girl in Yavne.
The Social Affairs Ministry confirmed that ongoing dialogue between the girl and her family had taken place in recent months and that several living arrangements had been offered to her by the ministry until she comes of age. At this point, parties are awaiting a court decision on the issue.
Meanwhile, the four family members involved in the kidnapping are also awaiting trial for their part in the incident.
