Israeli authorities remain without a breakthrough nearly a week after Mali and Liel Yahalomi disappeared, with investigators continuing to examine multiple possible scenarios, including terrorism, criminal involvement, or the possibility that the pair vanished of their own accord.
The case is being handled by Lahav 433’s National Unit for Combating Economic Crime. As part of the ongoing investigation, detectives on Thursday interviewed friends of the missing mother and daughter and also visited Bank of Jerusalem, where Mali Yahalomi works, to gather testimony and any information that could shed light on the circumstances surrounding the disappearance.
According to a Channel 13 report, investigators in Austria are increasingly convinced that Mali and Liel are no longer in the country. If that assessment is correct, the search effort becomes significantly more complex, as authorities would need to widen the scope of their investigation well beyond Austria’s borders.
As speculation continued to mount, the Yahalomi family released a video statement on Thursday urging the public to avoid relying on rumors and conflicting media reports regarding the disappearance.
The family stressed that it would not respond to reports lacking official confirmation and appealed to investigators to continue exploring every possible direction.
“My family and I are aware of the rumor mill and the conflicting reports being spread by the media in the past few hours,” one of the family members stated. “We wish to make clear that we are unable to comment on unverified information that does not come from the official bodies.”
The relatives also referred to the statement issued by Bank of Jerusalem, emphasizing the bank’s findings after its internal review. “Following the inquiry that was conducted, nothing was found indicating any unusual activities with the bank’s funds or assets.”
The family further urged investigators not to prematurely dismiss any possibility, stating, “We ask all relevant authorities not to rule out any avenue in the investigation.”
They concluded by expressing hope for a positive outcome despite the uncertainty. “Amidst the uncertainty and worry, the family continues to hope and wish that the search will lead to them, and that this story will ultimately end and they will return home safely,” it said.
Earlier reports indicated that the Mossad had joined search efforts in Vienna as authorities work to locate the missing pair.
Separately, Bank of Jerusalem sought to reassure customers Thursday after widespread rumors triggered concern and sent the bank’s stock sharply lower, at one point falling 12.39%. The bank said there is no indication that customer funds were improperly handled or stolen.
In a message distributed to customers, the bank wrote: “Following information and rumors that have recently surfaced, and in light of a thorough and comprehensive examination conducted by the bank, we wish to clarify unequivocally that there is no concern whatsoever of embezzlement of Bank of Jerusalem customers’ funds.”
The market decline followed speculation tied to Mali Yahalomi’s disappearance. In a letter to employees, Bank of Jerusalem CEO Yair Kaplan emphasized that her employment at the bank is the only known connection to the institution, writing: “Apart from the fact that she is an employee of the bank, no connection has been found between the incident and the bank.”
Kaplan also reminded employees that the case is subject to a court-issued gag order and warned against circulating information about the investigation. The bank reiterated its earlier findings, stating: “Following an examination that was conducted, no findings were discovered indicating any unusual activity involving the bank’s funds or assets.”
