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Cult Leader Accused Of Enslavement And Incest

Thursday February 11, 2010

An Israeli man who kept a sect-like harem of at least 17 women, fathering scores of children, is denying charges of rape, enslavement and incest.



Israeli policemen escort Goel Ratzon

Goel Ratzon is accused of keeping a cult of concubines in Tel Aviv, inspiring total obedience and loyalty. The 60-year-old, who resembles Indian cult leaders with long white hair and beard, has appeared before the media for the first time since his arrest, protesting his innocence. His harem allegedly included at least 17 women with whom he fathered at least 37 children, some of whom are also his grandchildren. Police believe he committed incest with his own daughters.

An Israeli television documentary crew exposed Ratzon and his women in their squalid apartments last year. The women appeared to be utterly in Ratzon's thrall. They bore tattoos showing his face in messianic images and referred to him as their saviour. "Goel" means "redeemer" in Hebrew. In one scene, Ratzon tells the camera: "I'm perfect, I have all the qualities a woman wants." Police say the women lavished Ratzon with attention as if he was royalty and texted him to tell him when they were ovulating.

They say Ratzon wrote a list of commandments ensuring the women were kept in near total slavery. They were forbidden from talking to other men and were not allowed to question any of his commands. He is accused of using physical punishment on the women and controlling them by making them believe in his divine status. His lawyer says the women willingly accepted the conditions and way of life and the sex was consensual. He denies the charges against him.