The disappearance of Israeli citizens Mali and Liel Yahalomi, who went missing in Vienna, Austria, remains under investigation by law enforcement. A week has passed since the last contact with the two, who originally flew to Prague before arriving in Vienna, only to fail to board their scheduled flight to Israel. Due to the increasing complexity and lack of clear leads, the investigation has been transferred to the National Economic Crimes Unit (YALEK) of Lahav 433. Police have established a special command center in Austria to assist search efforts, examining all possibilities from security incidents to voluntary disappearance; police emphasized there is no indication of criminal involvement by the missing persons.
According to Channel 13 reports, the last signal from their mobile phones was traced on Saturday near a bus stop in Vienna. Austrian authorities currently estimate that the mother and daughter are no longer within the country, expanding the search area and increasing the difficulty. Alongside the police investigation, the family has initiated a crowdfunding campaign to finance a professional search team, including logistics and translation experts, underscoring the critical nature of time. Family representatives criticized police spokespeople, alleging that certain publications created a false impression that a final conclusion regarding the case had been reached.
The disappearance of Mali Yahalomi has drawn significant media attention, partly due to her employment at Bank Jerusalem. False rumors regarding suspected embezzlement led to a decline in the bank's stock, forcing management to issue an official clarification. In a statement and internal audit, the bank clarified that no irregularities were found in its assets and that there is no connection between her professional role and the circumstances of her disappearance. Furthermore, a gag order has been placed on the investigation file, and the bank urged employees to maintain confidentiality and avoid rumors that could harm the family.
The Israeli Embassy in Austria continues to work with local authorities and requests anyone with information regarding their whereabouts to contact the emergency hotline. Search efforts are currently proceeding under a complex legal and operational framework.