Maariv: Mali Yahalomi's escape driven by NIS 200,000 in debts

Mali Yahalomi, who fled with her daughter Liel to South America earlier this month, was motivated by debts of NIS 200,000, according to a report by Alon Chachmon in Maariv on Sunday.

A new report by journalist Alon Chachmon in Maariv on Sunday evening claims that the motive for Mali Yahalomi's escape to South America with her daughter Liel earlier this month was financial — debts totaling NIS 200,000. This is the first publicly specific motive to emerge since the pair were located alive in Argentina on Friday, August 14, ending a week-long international search.

The Maariv report comes two days after police confirmed that the mother and daughter had left Europe voluntarily and told an Israeli police officer in Buenos Aires they simply wanted to 'disconnect from family and Israel' (The Zioneer, Fri 19:01 Jerusalem). Later that same Friday, additional details published by The Zioneer revealed the pair had spent a month planning their disappearance, including deleting location data and covering their tracks (Fri 19:01). The new debt claim is unattributed beyond the report and has not been independently corroborated.

As The Zioneer reported on Saturday, the pair were located in Buenos Aires after a voluntary departure that followed an elaborate ruse. They had withdrawn approximately €14,000, bought a prepaid phone without identification in Prague, and sent a misleading video from South America to suggest they were still in Vienna. The Israel Police's Lahav 433 unit and the Intelligence Division tracked them to Argentina, and police said no criminal suspicion was found against them.

What remains open: The source for the debt figure and whether the claim can be verified by police or family sources. The precise timeline of the alleged debts and their connection to the escape plan also remain unclear.

28 developments

1. 16:12 · 16 AugLatest

   Escape motivated by NIS 200,000 in debts.

2. 22:00 · 15 Aug

   Pair spent a month planning disappearance, including deleting location data.

3. 20:52 · 15 Aug

   Correspondence reveals the daughter's intent to accompany her mother abroad.

• Developing15:30 · 23 JunIsrael Tax Authority suspects Jerusalem landlord of evading taxes on 3.4 million shekels in rental income
• Developing03:15 · 15 AugN12 report: Yahalomi pair traveled to Prague, faked Vienna video from Argentina
• Developing13:52 · 21 JulFamily dines at $3,000 restaurant bill, flees without paying
• Developing15:37 · 26 JulCouple suspected of using children in Eilat theft spree worth over 100,000 shekels

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