Israeli Police Seek Canadian Mother Suspected of Kidnapping Two Children Near Jerusalem

Israeli police have issued an unusual public appeal to locate Aliya Joy Hirschberg, a 29-year-old Canadian immigrant suspected of abducting her two young children, who are believed to be in the Jerusalem area. Hirschberg, who arrived in Israel with her children Tala Reizel, aged three, and Natan Yaakov Verona, aged one, in August 2025, has been missing along with them since their arrival. The mother fled Canada amid a divorce dispute with her former partner, and a Canadian court ruling has compelled Israeli authorities to search for the family to enforce custody rights.

The investigation is led by the Jerusalem District Police following a complaint against Hirschberg. Police suspect that Hirschberg is hiding with her children in the Jerusalem area to prevent the father from seeing them. The Israeli police have released photos of Hirschberg and her children and urged the public to provide any information regarding their whereabouts.

Authorities emphasize the urgency of locating the mother and her children, who have not been seen since August 2025. The police have requested anyone with relevant information to contact the emergency number 100 or the investigative unit directly at 02-5391550. The case highlights the complexities of international custody disputes and cross-border enforcement of court rulings.