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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Polygamist Israeli accused of rape, enslavement |
| 2010-01-16 |
| [Iran Press TV Latest] Israeli authorities have arrested a man with a cult of over 17 women with whom they believe he has fathered up to two dozen children. Goel Ratzon -- Hebrew for savior -- reportedly ran his household according to a "rulebook," composed of severe restrictions and financial penalties for the women, who strangely turned out to be deeply committed to him. Some of them, dressed in conservative Orthodox clothes, even bore tattoos of Ratzon's name and face. An Israeli television documentary last year featured Ratzon with a bundle of women, several of whom claimed to be married to Ratzon and threatened to kill themselves if anyone ever tried to harm their "messiah." "No women shall marry nor shall any woman attack another, either verbally or physically," read the first rule in Ratzon's rulebook, setting strict financial punishments for any disobedience. Other rules in the book banned conversation anywhere but the living room and stopped the women from asking Ratzon questions. "No woman shall sit idle when there are dishes to be washed, cleaning to be done, children to look after," said another Ratzon commandment. His army of children, estimated to exceed 40 in number, all had names that were variations on his, Goel, according to the TV program. Ratzon was put under police surveillance following a complaint filed by one of the women who accused the self-claimed "perfect man" and dainty of abuse. Police arrested him this week in a raid on his house in Tel Aviv but ordered a media blackout on the issue. Ratzon, not formally charged yet, is now being held in a detention facility in Tel Aviv awaiting a court appearance and might face charges of enslavement, sexual abuse, rape and extortion. His appointed lawyer said his client denied any sexual crimes had been committed. "The women consented willingly to relations ... He may be different, but he's not a criminal," Shlomtzion Gabai told Israeli Radio, saying around 30 women and 60 children were involved with him. Ratzon reportedly had at least three apartments, all of which were dark, overcrowded and filthy. His children have been handed over to the authorities and some of the women have been let free. "He would dictate what they could and could not do, limit their movements and impose sanctions and various punishments, including the use of violence if they refused to obey," said a police statement. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Orthodox Jews with self-inflicted tattoos? Somebody didn't get the memo on the whole Deut. 4:9,15 thing. |
| Posted by: Mitch H. 2010-01-16 12:20 |