Israeli police arrest man who kept harem on suspicion of rape, incest, enslavement

Israeli police arrest man who kept harem

JERUSALEM — Police have arrested an Israeli man who maintained a harem and fathered dozens of children with the women he kept. The man is held on suspicion of enslavement, rape and incest.

Police accuse Goel Ratzon of keeping 17 women in a state of near-total obedience in apartments in the Tel Aviv area.

Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says they bore him 37 children, some of whom are also his grandchildren. Police say Ratzon controlled the women’s money and sometimes abused them if they challenged his control.

So far, no charges have been raised against Ratzon. He has been investigated in the past, but never charged.

Rosenfeld said Thursday authorities are looking into whether other women and children can be linked to the case.