Israeli Mother and Daughter Disappear in Vienna, Prompting Urgent Search

Mali and Liel Yahalomi, an Israeli mother and daughter from Modiin, have been missing in Vienna, Austria, since last Friday. The pair traveled to Vienna for a surprise trip celebrating Mali's 50th birthday, organized by Liel. They lost all contact after sending a message just before the start of the Sabbath, stating they had arrived at their apartment. They failed to board their scheduled El Al flight back to Israel on Tuesday night, and their mobile phones have been off since Friday, with no activity on their credit cards or sightings on security cameras.

The Israeli Embassy in Austria issued an urgent call for information, providing a hotline and urging anyone with knowledge of their whereabouts to come forward. Austrian police found their vacation apartment empty, with no belongings left behind, suggesting a voluntary departure. Family members describe the women as experienced travelers who always maintain regular contact, making their disappearance highly unusual. Relatives expressed deep concern, fearing possible abduction.

The investigation has been escalated to Vienna's central police unit, but no official statement has been released by Austrian authorities, and local media coverage remains minimal. The open borders within Europe complicate the search, as the women could have crossed into neighboring countries without passport checks. Community members in Vienna noted the absence of the women from a large Shabbat meal at the local Chabad house near their accommodation, adding to the mystery. Israeli officials and Austrian police continue to coordinate the search amid a peak tourist season when tens of thousands of Israelis visit Austria monthly.