Israel Demands Probe into Leaked Sensitive Data on Sisters Found in Argentina

Israel's Ministry of Justice is demanding an investigation into how sensitive personal details and videos of sisters Mali and Liel Yahalomi were leaked to the media following their discovery in Argentina. The ministry has directed the police to conduct a thorough review of the matter.

Mali and Liel Yahalomi disappeared and were later found on August 14 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, two months after their initial disappearance. Following their location, footage of their encounter with police and their interrogation was released. Reports at the time suggested their family believed the disappearance was pre-planned.

The directive from the Head of the Privacy Protection Authority calls for an internal police inquiry into the circumstances under which videos and personal information reached the media, allegedly in violation of police procedures. The inquiry will also examine the criteria, if any, considered by the police before allowing the information's publication.

This investigation is intended not only to address the specific case of Mali and Liel Yahalomi but also to derive systemic lessons regarding the protection of citizens' privacy when information is shared with the media in similar incidents. The authority expects to receive the findings and lessons learned from the police.

Gilad Samama, Head of the Privacy Protection Authority, stated that while the importance of reporting the safe location of missing persons is understood, the publication of vulnerable video footage and personal details, financial activities, and movements after they were found is problematic. Samama asserted that these publications, apparently originating from the police investigation, caused significant harm to their privacy without legitimate justification and seemingly against police regulations. He emphasized the need for a deep investigation into how the information leaked and for the police to draw necessary lessons to ensure citizens' fundamental right to privacy is not compromised in such events.