Israeli living with 17 women arrested for enslavement, rape

[scandal 951]

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1142653.html

Israeli living with 17 women arrested for enslavement, rape

By Yaniv Kubovich, Haaretz Correspondent

A Tel Aviv man who has been living with 17 women with whom he fathered 38 children was arrested on Monday on suspicion of enslavement, rape, extortion by threat and sexual assault of minors, among other charges, police said after a gag order was lifted on the case.

Police launched an undercover investigation into the suspect, Goel Ratzon, in June 2009 after receiving a complaint about abuse from one of his "wives."

Ratzon, 60, allegedly subjected his family to strict disciplinary measures, but has claimed that the women and children lived with him on their own accord.

More than a year ago, Channel 10 aired a documentary on Ratzon and his many wives, which gained widespread attention and criticism after he said that there had been several attempts at collective suicide after some of the women thought he was going to leave them. Also in the film, some of the women said they would commit mass suicide if anyone tried to harm their leader.

Wary of mass suicide, police were accompanied to his home by social workers and psychologists on Monday so as to avoid hysteria and any attempts at mass suicide after his arrest.

Police confiscated a rule book by which Ratzon forced his family to abide. The women were forbidden to communicate with men, be in physical contact with their biological family, eat meat, smoke, drink alcohol or dress immodestly.

Ratzon is considered by his companions to be the savior (Goel in Hebrew) of the universe, and is attributed godly and supernatural abilities. Many of the women have tattooed his name and portrait to several parts of their bodies.

The names of every one of Ratzon's children include his own first name. For instance, one of his sons is called Avinu Ha-Goel (our father the savior) and he has a daughter named Tehilat Ha-Goel (glory of the savior).

Goel Ratzon's son Yigal said following his father's arrest on Thursday that he does not believe the allegations against his father are true, even if the court decides to charge him.

"There have been times in the past when the court has been wrong and then retracted an indictment" he said, "and I believe that is what will happen in my father's case."

"Everyone has always gone after my father and tried to bring him down because they didn?t approve of his lifestyle," he said. "Now they've finally found a way to do it."

Yigal, who was born into a conventional family, "I remember the times when we were a normal family with only one mother and one father," he said, "but i don?t remember when things started to change and my father started to pick up other women."

"Every house has its own rules," Yigal commented on the rule book found in one of his father's houses which stated the amount of money each violation of the rule the women were fined. "I don?t know about a rule book, but if it did exist then i am curious how they manage to run the household in good financial stability, how did the children go to school with a new bag and books every year?"

The "Rule Book"

'Though shall not talk nonsense': Police impound rulebook for Tel Aviv man's 17 'wives'

Code sets out cash fines for offenses including 'fighting', 'interfering' and 'interrupting'.

Police on Monday seized a book of rules written by a Tel Aviv man for his 17 'wives,' hours after he was arrested on charges including enslavement and rape.

Goel Ratzon, 60, allegedly subjected his family of 17 women and 38 children to strict disciplinary measures - but has claimed they lived with him of their own accord.

The code of conduct sets out fines to be levied for each infringement. Regulations include:

1. No women shall marry nor shall any woman attack another, either verbally or physically. Fine: NIS 2,000, to be paid into the family kitty.

2. No woman shall question another about her whereabouts. Fine: NIS 100

3. No conversation is permitted in rooms other than the living room. It is forbidden to talk nonsense. Fine: NIS 200

4. No woman shall sit idle when there are dishes to be washed, cleaning to be done, children to look after etc. Fine: NIS 2000

5. Any two women caught fighting will be punished equally. Fine: NIS 2,000

6. It is absolutely forbidden to question Ratzon on his whereabouts or intention. Fine: NIS 400

7. It is permissible to ask to accompany him; but refusal is to be accepted without appeal. Fine: NIS 300

8. No woman shall interrupt Ratzon or intervene in matters not concerning her. Fine: NIS 500

9. All orders are to be obeyed immediately. Fine: NIS 300

10. No woman shall work while a 'man' of over 12 years of age is in the house. Fine NIS 3,000

[William33 110]

Hanged by the neck, until dead...Questions?

[scandal 951]

Hanged by the neck, until dead...Questions?

Why do all these freaks have that Jesus-look, with the long flowing white hair and beard?

Is it like a uniform or something? Required to be part of the sicko-club?

I must say... I do like his "Thou shalt not talk nonsense" rule. We need one of those on VJ!! NOT.

[Danno 1,228]

With 17 wives, who wouldn't need a rule book?

[William33 110]

Why do all these freaks have that Jesus-look, with the long flowing white hair and beard?

Is it like a uniform or something? Required to be part of the sicko-club?

I must say... I do like his "Thou shalt not talk nonsense" rule. We need one of those on VJ!! NOT.

A scary dude indeed...an individual one might see on a Chicago train for example....

I wish I could see that....

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Ratzon is considered by his companions to be the savior (Goel in Hebrew) of the universe, and is attributed godly and supernatural abilities. Many of the women have tattooed his name and portrait to several parts of their bodies.

History gets repeated...again and again.

[scandal 951]

Ratzon is considered by his companions to be the savior (Goel in Hebrew) of the universe, and is attributed godly and supernatural abilities. Many of the women have tattooed his name and portrait to several parts of their bodies.

History gets repeated...again and again.

Rasputin.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Rasputin.

[scandal 951]

Charles Manson and David Koresh.

Kripes, these guys DO all look the same!

Fvckin eerie, man!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Charles Manson and David Koresh.

Kripes, these guys DO all look the same!

Fvckin eerie, man!

Do you ever try to imagine if you were around someone like that, if their obvious charisma and power over people would have any effect on you? I think most of us would say emphatically "No!" but I wonder. A colleague of mine said his grade school teacher was one of the women of David Koresh. She left teaching and followed him, and this guy said she was a very bright teacher and not your typical gullible kind. Sadly, her body was found in compound after the raid.

[Nagishkaw 510]

For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.

Matt. 24:5

[Niels Bohr 72]

When a king does it, it's okay.

[justashooter 430]

Do you ever try to imagine if you were around someone like that, if their obvious charisma and power over people would have any effect on you? I think most of us would say emphatically "No!" but I wonder. A colleague of mine said his grade school teacher was one of the women of David Koresh. She left teaching and followed him, and this guy said she was a very bright teacher and not your typical gullible kind. Sadly, her body was found in compound after the raid.

you mean before janet reno ordered the firing of incendiary devices into the housing area? you mean before the fed.gov burned all those people to death to show the world who was boss? you mean the incendiaries they lied about in testimony before congress? you mean the incendiaries that aerial footage shows being fired?

in the early 80's my family was in a cult in abbeville louisiana that was associated losely with koresh. i saw him speak on one occasion before leaving home in 1983. he was typical of the cultist leaders of the time, and similar to the man in this story. they are all bad people, but not criminals in the stricted sense of the word. they just happen to challenge the moral standards of their time. they are all control freaks with delusions of grandeur and a desire to live out the life of abram, under the guise of abraham.

[Darnell 8,479]

well, if he's snatched away from his house - who's gonna step into his shoes ?

Or - geez - that's a lot of 'social services' involvement to 'dissolve' that 'family'.

[FortLaudy 10]

And here I thought this only happened in America!

Just kidding!

Tattoos?

Obviously not very Jewish, wonder what he was preaching?