The Interior Ministry, in a report entitled "Polygamy in Israel," indicates that Israel is paying through the nose to 20,000 Israeli-Arab men who have married multiple wives from other countries, and thus receive child-support payments for them. The report, submitted to Prime Minister Sharon yesterday, was prepared by Brig.-Gen. (res.) Herzl Gedz, head of the Ministry's Population Registry.

"The State of Israel, for known reasons, is a choice destination for non-Jewish immigrants from various other countries," states the report, quoted in Maariv today, "and especially from Arab nations and the Palestinian Authority. This wave of immigration is very dangerous to Israel's national security, presenting a security, criminal, and political danger, an economic burden, and especially a demographic danger for the future of the State."

The report gives examples. One Arab man is married to six women, has 54 children, and receives National Insurance payments of 25,000 shekels each month. Another Arab man living in the Sharon area is married to five women, has 35 children, and receives 16,500 shekels. A month.

"The increasing number of foreigners who receive permanent status in Israel because of illegal marriages demands that we reconsider this phenomenon, change the law, and fight it unyieldingly. These are citizens or residents who violate the country's laws, marry according to Islam with the knowledge of Moslem religious authorities who receive aid and salaries from the State of Israel."

Maariv quoted a very senior government source saying, "Not only is this an existential security and demographic threat, it is also a tremendous economic expense. Israel, under the guise of democracy, gives out billions of shekels …" He said that Sharon, the Justice Minister and law-enforcement officials will "soon" meet to discuss the problem.