Police are investigating suspected underage marriages in the closed Haredi community of Yavne’el, where families have repeatedly claimed the events were “engagement ceremonies only” — ceremonies that are not prohibited by law.
The latest case involved a notice circulated in the town near the Sea of Galilee about a “vort,” a party marking a couple’s decision to marry, between a man about 30 years old and a teenage bride. Footage from the event later showed clashes near the site between family members and people who had seen the notice and came to prevent what they believed was an illegal underage wedding.
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Wearing a white dress. The suspected 16-year-old bride
(Photo: Israel Police spokesperson)
Following the uproar, police released details from another case that took place in Yavne’el several weeks ago. Acting on information about a minor’s marriage, officers raided a home in the town. Family members there also claimed it was only an engagement ceremony, but police found a ketubah- a Jewish marriage contract - hidden in the house. The bride, 16, was sitting on a chair in a white dress, and the groom was also an adult. Police also found a glass and a wedding ring.
'Even when you get there and see her in a wedding dress and him in a suit, it is not enough proof'
Law enforcement officials said the phenomenon is difficult to combat with the tools currently available. In many cases, they said, when police receive information about a planned event, those involved say it is merely an engagement party, making it difficult to take immediate legal action.
As long as there is no clear indication that a marriage has taken place or is about to take place, police have limited legal grounds to intervene. Investigations are often opened only after the fact, and even then, investigators struggle to establish sufficient evidence.
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The wedding contract, glass and wedding ring found hidden in the raided home
(Photo: Israel Police spokesperson)
Organizers also use methods meant to make enforcement harder, officials said. Events are often held at unusual hours and in isolated locations, with only a small number of people aware of the details. Phones are sometimes barred to prevent documentation, and documents such as the ketubah may be hidden away from the ceremony site or left unsigned.
“In many cases, even when you get there and see her in a wedding dress and him in a suit, it is not enough,” a police source said. “Without clear proof of marriage, we have no way to act. You have no documentation, no witnesses, and in the end the couple themselves also say they did not get married. Without smoking-gun evidence, these cases simply do not hold up.”
Regarding the latest case, a police source told ynet that those involved again claimed it was an engagement party. “Therefore, without solid evidence of a wedding, criminal proceedings cannot be opened. At the same time, police are continuing to monitor the matter,” the source said