Israeli police arrest cult leader suspected of keeping harem

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Israeli police have arrested a suspected cult leader who is believed to have fathered dozens of children by as many as 30 women. He is being held on suspicion of rape, slavery and incest.

By Rob Crilly in Jerusalem
Published: 4:00PM GMT 16 Jan 2010

Goel Ratzon, 59, brainwashed the women into staying with him in squalid, overcrowded flats in Tel Aviv, police claimed, following a seven-month undercover investigation.

Mr Ratzon was arrested on Tuesday, when police raided three apartments, where they found 17 women and 39 children.

Police said they have since kept him away from TV cameras for fear he may send secret messages, ordering the women to hurt themselves.

Two women were arrested on suspicion that they co-operated with Mr Ratzon or witnessed his alleged crimes. The 15 others were transferred to homes for abused women along with their children.

His "wives" were not allowed to communicate with men, eat meat, smoke, drink alcohol or dress immodestly, according to a rulebook found in one of the flats.

They would be fined if they argued, gossiped or asked Mr Ratzon where he was going. The children, who all bear Mr Ratzon's first name, which means "saviour" in Hebrew, were expected to kiss his feet when he visited.

The self-styled spiritual guru has made no secret of his unusual family arrangements in Tel Aviv, and in a documentary broadcast last year claimed to have 89 children by more than 30 women.

In the documentary, some of the women said they would commit mass suicide if anyone tried to harm their leader, who they viewed as the saviour of the universe.

In an interview for the programme, Mr Ratzon explained how he attracted young women to join him.

"I am perfect," he said. "I have all the characteristics that a woman wants."

Shlomi Michael, head of Tel Aviv police's Central Unit, said police had succeeded in gathering a great deal of evidence regarding the suspected offences of holding people under conditions of enslavement and rape.

On Thursday, Micky Rosenfeld, a police spokesman, said detectives were trying to piece together the family relationships and were investigating whether any of the children had been subjected to sexual assault.

Police first received a complaint about Mr Ratzon in 2000. But investigations then found the children to be well looked after with no signs of abuse.

The women were registered as single mothers, ruling out charges of polygamy.

Mr Ratzon has denied any wrongdoing and has been remanded in custody for 12 days.

His lawyer, Shlomzion Gabai, said: "Many homes have rules, but they are not written down. Is that enslavement, too?

"This was not coercion. The state is coming in and saying these women were actually enslaved. If this is accepted, there will be many work places exposed to this legal clause."

Source : Israeli police arrest cult leader suspected of keeping harem - Telegraph