Mossad Joins Search for Missing Israeli Mother and Daughter in Vienna

Search efforts continue in Vienna for Mally Yehulomi and her daughter Liel, who have been missing since last Friday. Austrian reports indicate that the Israeli Mossad is involved in the investigation, with its operatives participating in the search. Additionally, an Israeli police representative from the Netherlands has arrived in Vienna, and a specialized negotiation unit skilled in profiling and investigative techniques is also engaged.

The disappearance has caused a sharp drop in shares of Bank Jerusalem, where Mally Yehulomi worked, amid suspicions of financial misconduct. However, the bank conducted an internal review and found no evidence of irregularities. The bank issued a statement emphasizing that aside from her employment, there is no connection between the incident and the bank, and imposed a gag order on the matter.

Earlier, Israeli police placed a gag order on the investigation. Yehulomi’s family provided testimony to investigators and criticized police briefings for creating a misleading impression that conclusions about the disappearance had already been reached. The family also stated that some published information was not shared with them and that they possess contradictory evidence. They stressed there is currently no basis to rule out a nationalistic terror motive.

Israel Police Commissioner Danny Levi assigned the case to the Lahav 433 unit. Israeli and Austrian authorities are cooperating, but Vienna police have said there is no indication of criminal activity or harm to the women so far. Investigators are examining the possibility of kidnapping and reports that the women carried a large sum of money before traveling. Their phones were last tracked near a Vienna bus station on Saturday.

The Israeli Embassy in Austria has appealed to the public for help locating the two. Mally, 50, and Liel, 23, flew to Prague last Tuesday and then to Vienna, where contact was lost. They were expected to return to Israel but never boarded their flight. The family has launched a crowdfunding campaign to finance search efforts, including professional local assistance, travel, translation, and logistics. They urge the public to donate and share the campaign to help bring Mally and Liel home safely.