Israeli Police Continue Search for Missing Israeli Women in Vienna Amid Unclear Motive

Israeli police are intensifying their investigation into the disappearance of two Israeli women, Mali and Liel Yahalomi, who went missing in Vienna nearly a week ago. Despite extensive efforts, no trace of the women or their digital footprints has been found. A senior police official involved in the case told reporters that the starting assumption is that the women are alive, but the motive behind their disappearance remains unknown. Authorities are exploring all possibilities, including whether the disappearance was planned by the mother and daughter as a form of escape, a criminal act by a local Vienna gang, or even a nationalist-related incident. "Nothing is ruled out," the official said, emphasizing the many unanswered questions.

The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Vienna police and Israel's Lahav 433 unit. To prevent leaks that could compromise the inquiry, a court has imposed a gag order on details of the case, which will be lifted once the situation becomes clearer. The women were last seen in Vienna on Friday, and their family has provided information to investigators, urging that all potential motives, including nationalist factors, continue to be examined.

Meanwhile, Bank of Jerusalem addressed rumors linking Mali Yahalomi, an employee at the bank, to financial misconduct. The bank issued a statement assuring customers that there is no concern of embezzlement and that all client funds are secure and managed according to legal and regulatory standards. The bank’s shares initially dropped at the stock market opening amid the disappearance news but partially recovered during the trading day.