Family of Missing Israeli Women in Vienna Rejects Police Narrative, Demands Full Investigation

The family of Mally and Liel Yahalomi, who disappeared in Vienna, has sharply criticized Israeli police briefings that suggested the case’s circumstances are already resolved. They claim to possess evidence contradicting police statements and emphasize that the sudden loss of contact on the evening of August 7 was unusual. The family insists there is no basis to dismiss the possibility of a nationalist-motivated incident.

On the night between Wednesday and Thursday, the Yahalomi family provided detailed testimony to investigators from the Israeli police’s Lahav 433 unit, handing over all information and findings in their possession. They responded strongly to reports from the Israeli police spokesperson’s unit implying the disappearance might have been voluntary, noting that some police-released information was never shared with them and that their own data contradicts key police claims.

Police investigations indicated no signs of kidnapping and suggested the mother and daughter may have left voluntarily, citing the deletion of location data from their phones days before their disappearance and a suspicion they had withdrawn a large sum of cash. However, the family disputes the cash withdrawal claim, stating bank accounts showed no unusual activity after August 3. They have requested that any evidence supporting police claims be presented and examined alongside their own information.

The Israeli embassy confirmed that contact with Mally and Liel was lost on the evening of Friday, August 7, after consistent communication during their trip. The family demands that the search continue with full intensity until the women are found. Meanwhile, Israeli Police Chief Danny Levy convened a special briefing to allocate all necessary resources to the investigation. Vienna police stated there is currently no indication of a criminal offense in the case.