Several days after Mali and Liel Yahalomi disappeared while traveling in Europe, an initial assessment is emerging within Israel’s security establishment that the incident was not motivated by nationalism.
Three Israeli officials familiar with the details of the investigation said that extensive intelligence checks have been conducted in recent days to examine the possibility that terrorist or hostile elements were involved. According to the emerging assessment, no indications have been found at this stage that a pro-Palestinian or Iranian cell was involved.
Austrian police have also stated that, as far as they are concerned, “there is no suspicion of a criminal incident." Nevertheless, the investigation has been transferred to the highest levels of the Vienna police, and all investigative avenues continue to be examined, including those currently considered less likely.
At the same time, search efforts are focusing on attempts to locate the two women’s cellphones. Searches have also been conducted at hospitals in the area to determine whether the two may have been admitted without being identified.
An Israel Police representative is working on the ground alongside the local authorities in Vienna, while the Foreign Ministry has established a dedicated command center to coordinate all incoming information. The fact that the Foreign Ministry is leading the handling of the case, rather than the National Security Council or the Mossad, reinforces the assessment that this is a civilian rather than a security-related incident. Nevertheless, the Mossad is actively assisting in efforts to locate the two women.
This evening, Israel Police held a special situation assessment led by Police Commissioner Superintendent-General Danny Levy. The meeting was attended by the head of the Investigations and Intelligence Division, the head of the Intelligence Department, Israel Police representatives stationed around the world, and members of the police intelligence command center operating abroad.
During the meeting, the commissioner was presented with an updated picture of the investigation and the search operations underway in Israel and abroad. At the conclusion of the meeting, Levy instructed that all necessary means and resources, both in Israel and overseas, be mobilized to advance the investigation and locate the two women.
At the same time, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir spoke with members of the Yahalomi family, offered them his support, and informed them that Israel Police is fully involved in the search efforts and is cooperating with the Austrian authorities.
Ben Gvir told the family that he would continue to personally follow the handling of the case, hold discussions with the Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister’s Office, and work to ensure that all relevant agencies act on both the operational and diplomatic levels.
“We are with you, concerned for you and embracing you. I will do everything in my power to help and, with God’s help, bring them home safe and sound," the minister said.